Renovations can significantly reduce the environmental impact of a home, allowing for a more sustainable lifestyle. Yet many people are hesitant to invest in large-scale projects due to costs. So how can you future-proof your home in the most sustainable way possible, both for your wallet and the environment?

“Unlike simpler choices, such as reducing red meat consumption or purchasing products with recyclable packaging, modernization seems more complex,” explains Chris Collins, Ireland country president at Schneider Electric.

But it may not be as difficult as you think, as Collins explains: “A sustainable home doesn’t always require a huge investment, nor does it need to be complicated. By integrating small, connected digital solutions, homeowners can make real energy savings and future-proof their homes.

He cites smart lighting systems as an example. These automatically turn off the lights when no one is home and turn them back on to light the way when someone returns. “These features not only save energy, but also give people peace of mind, knowing the home is secure and energy efficient even when they are away,” says Collins.

The move to a smart, sustainable home starts with replacing the consumer unit – also called a fuse box or fuse board – which controls the flow of electricity, preventing overloads or short circuits.

“We’ve all had to pull the ‘trigger’ at one time or another when the lights go out or appliances stop working. Typically located in the hallway or under stairs, older consumer units don’t always have the capacity to support smart devices, outdoor lighting, electric vehicle charging or even solar panels,” says Collins .

“That’s why we always recommend investing in a modern unit that can handle the extra load. A one-time investment today in a new unit will pay dividends in the years to come. It will allow you to integrate new technologies and smart home appliances and reduce your dependence on the grid by switching to renewable energy. Modern units also offer better protection against electrical faults, adding security and assurance.

Once this new unit is in place, homeowners can then easily install tools like smart thermostats and wireless energy sensors to better monitor their energy.

“With a simple energy sensor plugged into the electrical panel, homeowners can easily access valuable information about their energy usage – not just in aggregate, but for individual fixtures and appliances in real time,” says Collins . “Here, they can see which appliances are consuming the most energy, need to be turned off, or need to be used during off-peak hours, which can also help reduce energy bills.” »

A more advanced option to improve sustainability and achieve a quick return on investment is to install energy generation technologies such as solar panels, which can even turn a renovated house into a stable source of income.

“In addition to producing energy for their own use, owners have the option of reinjecting any excess energy into the grid. They can also resell them at peak times to maximize their returns,” he emphasizes.

To absorb some of the financial burden of these sustainable investments, the government offers several incentives designed to encourage homeowners to renovate their homes, including SEAI grants, the Warmer Homes program and various tax incentives.

“These provide funds to make Irish homes more energy efficient through the deployment of insulation, heat pumps, solar panels and heating controls,” says Collins.

“However, despite the government’s best intentions, incentives alone are not enough to meet the target of half a million renovated homes by 2030. Many people would have been deterred from taking out a loan due to perceived maintenance costs and fear of delayed return on investment. . Unfortunately, this mindset won’t change until homeowners, especially those with low incomes, are sure that an energy-efficient home is worth the investment. After all, the promise of cheaper electricity looks even more attractive if installation costs are covered, something governments should keep in mind.”

The fact that Schneider Electric’s digital solutions for energy efficiency helped commercial customers recoup their investment in just two and a half years, compared to the typical time frame of 12 years previously, shows just what is possible with the energy transition.

A perhaps easier analogy for domestic users, however, concerns cars. “You could compare a renovation to buying an electric vehicle: it’s a big initial investment, but the long-term savings buy the car and much more,” says Collins.

“Ultimately, it is our shared responsibility to create an environment in which energy-efficient homes can be more self-sufficient. With the support of consumers, governments and businesses, we need to change attitudes, highlight the financial benefits and make technology accessible to homeowners so they can better manage their energy.