Decarbonisation is the big word going around town these days. Many are confused by what it entails and whether it’s worth it. Moreover, many homeowners and landlords are scared that the various measures that make up decarbonisation will be a

What is Decarbonisation Planning?

Decarbonisation planning is the act of future-proofing homes to be better-suited for non-carbon technologies. This involves several measures that introduce energy efficiency and cut down on fossil fuel grid dependence. These can be a great means of prepping a home for long-term savings and sustainability.

There are many different ways to decarbonise homes and even a few of them can have a positive impact on, not just the environment, but also the residents and their property. For example, solar panels and energy-efficient heating can decrease energy bills by roughly £800 annually and raise property values by up to 7%.

Decarbonisation also has the potential to make homes safer and more technologically futureproof. For the first point, more efficient boilers are less likely to leak carbon monoxide. As for technological advancement, replacing a boiler might be necessary soon since a gas boiler ban might be on the way in the near future under the Future Homes Standard.

Thankfully, there are benefits to going through all this. Grants for everything from solar panels to windows to insulation are available to boost your property’s prospects.

You can also rank your property higher and give it some unique selling points. After conducting professional energy audits and building on areas for improvement, you can obtain Green Building Certifications. Certifications like LEED, BREEAM, or Passivhaus ensure comprehensive sustainability practices and boost the curb appeal of your property.

These are things worth considering for anyone who deals with prospective homeowners.

What Does Decarbonisation Entail?

Decarbonising a property involves reducing or eliminating its carbon emissions, which can be achieved through a variety of strategies. Here are some key steps to decarbonise a property:

Efficient Roofs, Windows, & Doors

The first step in decarbonisation is general Energy Efficiency Improvements to the physical infrastructure. Windows and doors are the major culprits since they are points of entry and ventilation. Installing the right materials like wood, aluminium, or uPVC can do wonders for most homes and their heating bills.

While homes tend to have properly insulated walls, there are numerous properties that do not ascribe to the usual standards and can lag behind. The same goes for roofs and floors, which can be massive heat escape zones. Covering them up can help reduce heat loss.

Installing green roofs to improve insulation and provide carbon sequestration is another optional choice. While not possible for every home, it can be a great way to offset carbon consumption and improve oxygen flow. Even aside from those benefits, green roofs can be a major unique selling point for buyers.

Home Heating & Water

Home heating is another major concern. This covers a more direct part of decarbonisation and fossil fuel usage. Installing less carbon-intensive technology like heat pumps or more efficient boilers can help with this measure. The best boiler for a large house is generally a system boiler with 35kW, while smaller homes (1 to 2 bedrooms) can suffice with a 24kW combi boiler. If they are A-rated, they can do a decent job.

Replacing old boilers with high-efficiency condensing boilers could be great for decreasing costs but gas boilers may not be the best option overall. Gas can be volatile in prices and many homes may eschew the gas grid in the future.

Other options to consider include biomass boilers (but they’re too expensive) and electric boilers (which have atrocious running costs). The best alternative is actually to install a heat pump. Despite the initial costs they run very efficiently and, compared to a G-rated boiler, can decrease home heating costs by up to 5 times. They also provide cooling in the winter unlike boilers, so they are quite versatile as well.

Another aspect of decarbonisation is the actual monitoring and smarter utilisation of energy and heating systems. Using smart thermostats to optimize heating and cooling schedules, can go a long way in decreasing costs and controlling heating patterns.

Alongside these measures, water-conserving technologies can be a major money-saver. Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets can cut down on your water usage. Implementing greywater recycling systems and reusing water for irrigation can also be a good alternative.

Renewable Energy Sources

Solar panels can be a great investment, especially with electricity prices and the cost of living crisis. While the technology can lead to a large initial investment, there are numerous grants that can help make them more affordable. If you live in an area where the sunlight is iffy you could take a crack at hydropower and wind turbines instead.

These technologies are also subject to the Smart Export Guarantee, which can allow you to earn money if you export energy to the grid. It can be nice to have a property that could earn money, making it a better sell for potential buyers.

Lighting & Appliances

Replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting can be a great way to make your home less of an energy drain. This can be followed up by installing appliances with high energy efficiency ratings. This can include using smart plugs to reduce standby power consumption.

Much like the smart thermostats, you can gather data on your property’s energy usage and put it to good use. Energy monitoring systems track and reduce energy consumption, allowing residents to identify anomalies and excesses.

It’s important to remember that these measures aren’t green energy self-indulgence. All these measures can help make homes more energy-efficient, comfortable, and resistant to gas and electricity prices.

Building homes for the future is the smart choice.