Make your home resilient to climate change
As we experience record-breaking heatwaves, floods and droughts, we may notice climate change having an impact on our homes.
Thankfully, making small changes to your home and garden can make a big difference. Not only can it make your home more comfortable, but it can also save you money in the long run.
Explore our tips and start protecting your home today.
In hot, dry weather
Collect water with a water butt
Did you know that 23% of water in Hampshire comes directly from our rivers? This means preserving water will protect our precious waterways.
Rather than using a hosepipe, you can dip a watering can or bucket into a water butt. This will keep your garden green or your car clean all year round.
We work with GetComposting to help our residents access water butts at cost, but you can also find them online or in DIY and gardening stores.
Install solar panels
Hampshire County Council has partnered with Solar Together to offer residents high-quality, competitively priced solar panels.
Based on the Energy Saving Trust’s latest estimates, you could save up to £505/year on your energy bills. You can even get paid £110 per year for selling spare solar energy back to the grid (although this is highly variable).
How to be safe in a heatwave
Heatwaves can be uncomfortable and dangerous to human health, so knowing how to stay safe is important.
We recommend reading the latest guidance from the NHS on how to cope in hot weather.
In very wet weather
You don't have to live near the sea or a river to be at risk of flooding.
Surface water is a leading contributor to flooding and can accumulate anywhere. It happens for a variety of reasons. First, if there's too much rainwater for the land to absorb or drainage systems to process. It can also occur when water lands on a hard, non-absorbent surface and can't drain away. Thankfully, there are ways to increase our home's resilience to this.
Whether you've recently moved home or have lived in your house for a few years, it’s worthwhile checking your flood risk. The average cost of a home being flooded is £20,000 to £30,000.
Add leafy plants to your garden
Having plants in your garden is a quick and effective way to prevent flooding. The leafier the plants, the better. This is because the leaves delay the time taken for any rain to hit the ground. Plants also play a key role in absorbing water through their roots. This increases the capacity of your garden to absorb water.
Install a water butt
A water butt comes with many benefits. It reduces the volume of surface water in your garden by collecting and storing rainfall, which you can then use during droughts or heatwaves. By protecting your garden during wet winters, you’re also preparing for drier summers.
Clear your gutters and drains
Gutters and drains are important for channelling away excess water. They will work better if they are clear of leaves and debris. One way to keep them clear is to install gutter and drain guards, which help prevent blockages.Design your outside space to prevent surface flooding
Surface flooding is much more likely on hard surfaces in heavy rainfall. Try to:
- minimise your use of paving and choose permeable materials where you need it
- choose turf lawn rather than an artificial one. Turf is better at better at absorbing water and also provides food for wildlife
- level your lawn. Having a level surface will improve drainage and prevent surface water pooling
Raise electrical items and plug sockets
By raising the height of plug sockets in your home, you can reduce the risk of water damage to wiring and electrical items. This could decrease the cost of any flood repairs and also reduce the risk of fire.
In cold, icy weather
Our natural reaction when the temperature drops is to turn on the heating. But could we be losing money by heating inefficient homes? There are many ways to increase your home’s resilience to cold weather.
Stop cold draughts
Stopping draughts from creeping in through doors, windows, and loft hatches can be a quick and easy fix. Self-adhesive foam, or sturdier brush insulation strips cost as little as a few pounds but can save many more by improving your home’s energy efficiency.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing could save £60 a year on average. Best of all, there are ways to make your own draught excluders using materials lying around your home.
A helpful guide to draught-proofing - Energy Saving Trust
Use radiator foils
From around £8 to £20, radiator reflector foil can prevent heat escaping out of outside walls by reflecting it back into your home. You will save money on your energy bills, and installation is easy – cut to size and slide behind your radiator.
Prevent frozen water pipes
When cold weather hits uninsulated water pipes, it can freeze the pipes and prevent us from heating our homes. It could even lead to a costly repair bill. This is because when water freezes, it expands, resulting in a burst water pipe.
To avoid this, check out options for pipe lagging or insulation jackets for your water tank. These are often inexpensive but can make a big difference, and even save you up to £70.
What to do if you have a burst or frozen water pipe
Top-up your home's insulation
Did you know that many households don’t have their insulation as deep as it could be?
Topping up your loft insulation could save you an extra £55 a year by preventing heat loss. When you prevent heat loss, you reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home. It also has the great side effect of reducing your carbon emissions.
Discover quick wins to improve your home insulation
We’ve partnered with The Environment Centre to provide free, trusted advice to our residents about energy and sustainability. If you or someone you know in Hampshire is struggling to keep warm, The Environment Centre’s freephone advice line 0800 804 8601 is here to help.
How to help wildlife
We know that climate change is making it harder for local wildlife to thrive and survive. Extreme weather events lead to habitat and food loss, so anything we can do to help will go a long way.
Let nature bloom
Wildlife relies on natural spaces to live and eat. By allowing areas of your garden to grow wild, you’re providing much-needed habitats and food sources.
For low-maintenance options, choose a mix of native wildflowers and trees that flower throughout the year. They won’t need much water once established and are best suited for UK wildlife.
Every space makes a difference. Plantlife says on a single day in summer, one acre of wildflower meadow can contain 3 million flowers and produce 1 kg of nectar sugar for pollinators.
Have a go at creating wildlife habitats
Whether it’s a bug hotel, a bird feeder, or a hedgehog café, there are lots of ways to make homes for wildlife that only require a few household materials.
Learn about gardening for wildlife no matter how big or small your outdoor space is.
Find out how to make your own bug hotel from the Hampshire Countryside Service.
Create a pond
Creating a pond is a great way to support a large variety of wildlife in your garden. Ponds provide drinking and bathing opportunities for various birds and mammals and also work hard at absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
No matter the materials on hand, you can create something great. Try using an old plant pot or washing-up bowl to create a mini pond. Or, if you have the means, get a spade and dig a larger wildlife pond.