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Transport

Private cars produce around 13 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions. When looking for a new home, check how close it is to public transport, so you can cut down the distances you travel by car.

• More on greener travel

Insulation and heating

Heating and hot water will account for most of the energy you use at home. Choosing an energy efficient property, or improving its energy efficiency when you move in, will reduce climate change effects. It can also save you a lot of money, especially if you stay there for a long time.

• Energy Saving Trust resources for home movers Opens new window

Energy ratings for new and rented homes

All homes bought, sold or rented must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC contains information on a property's energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, and an energy efficiency rating. This rating ranges from 'A' for the most energy efficient to 'G' for the least efficient. You should ask to see the EPC for any property you are thinking about buying or renting.

Insulation

When looking at properties, ask whether there is wall and loft insulation, and find out how old the boiler is. If the boiler is more than 10 to 15 years old it is unlikely to be very efficient. Replacing it could save you a third off your energy bills.

• Energy Performance Certificates - what they are

• More on insulating and heating your home efficiently

Heating controls

When you find somewhere, make sure you get the previous occupiers to show you how the heating controls work or give you the manual. Don’t forget to do the same for the people moving into your old home.

Home energy check

When you’ve moved in, get advice on how you could save energy, by doing the Energy Saving Trust’s online home energy check.

Appliances, furniture and fittings

Moving home is often a time when you buy new appliances or furniture. It can also be a good time to change habits, for example by switching to energy efficient light bulbs. Here are some other ideas:

• if you're buying new appliances, choosing energy efficient ones will save money and help tackle climate change
• turn over a new leaf by not leaving machines on standby, which wastes a significant amount of electricity
• buying second-hand, or renovating items like furniture, carpets and curtains, can help save raw materials and energy, and will cut waste
• when buying timber products like furniture or flooring, check they are from a sustainable source

• Greener furniture, fittings and flooring

• Greener DIY

Saving water

When you move into your new home, there may be things you can do to help save water. For example, buying water efficient appliances, fixing leaking taps or getting a water butt for the garden.

• Water: using less at home

• Water: using less in the garden

In the garden

If you're lucky you may have inherited some wildlife features if you have a new garden, such as a pond or bird boxes. But there are other things you could do to encourage wildlife, like putting up feeders, or choosing plants that will attract bees and butterflies.

If you don't already have one, think about getting a compost bin to recycle your garden and kitchen waste.

• Encouraging wildlife in your garden

• Greener gardens

• More on composting

Recycling

Once you've moved in, and the boxes are finally unpacked, don't forget to recycle all that cardboard and packaging. Most homes are now served by a doorstep recycling service or you can take recycling to your local amenity site.

• Recycling at home

The wider issue

Choosing a home can have many environmental consequences. For example, your location determines how far you will need to travel for work, shops and schools.

Moving home also tends to be a time when you buy new appliances and make changes to your property. So it's a good time to think about choosing appliances that save energy and water. The energy consumed in our homes is responsible for over a quarter of all UK emissions of carbon dioxide. This is the main greenhouse gas causing climate change.

More useful links

• Buying and selling your home (home and community section)

Useful contacts

• Environment and Greener Living contacts