HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT

Find key steps for enhancing home energy efficiency, saving costs and reducing carbon footprint. 

Energy bills have become more expensive and fears of global warming are rising. Many people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, help the environment and save money on bills. The average household could save up to £200 a year and greatly reduce their environmental impact by making just a few simple changes. Here are our tips for making your home more energy-efficient.

Insulate

A great deal of heat is lost through poorly insulated walls, draughty windows and the attic. To keep your home warm and reduce energy bills, consider having proper insulation installed. The process is not inexpensive, but the huge bill savings every year will ensure that it quickly pays for itself.

If your home was built later than 1990 it’s likely that the walls will already be well insulated. Older homes however, may require insulating. You can do this yourself or you can hire a contractor to perform the job for you. There are different types of insulation, so if you’re installing it yourself you will need to decide on the most suitable for your home. We offer a wide range of materials for insulating and damp-proofing the home and our friendly team of experts are available to offer advice.

Windows can be insulated too with energy efficient glass which will keep the heat in and the noise out. Double or triple glazing can also reduce condensation on the inside of the windows, reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills. If investing in new windows is not a practical option, you can fight draughts and heat loss with heavy curtains.

Invest in energy-efficient appliances

Modern appliances are now more energy efficient than ever. So when it’s time to replace an old washing machine or microwave, look for one with a high energy rating.

Replace your old boiler with a high-efficiency condensing boiler. Condensing boilers are a worthwhile investment as they heat water more efficiently and save you money on your energy bills.

Turn it off

There are several things you can do on a daily basis to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. Don’t leave the TV, computer, games console, radio or microwave on standby. Standby uses more electricity than you would think, and it all adds up on your bill. Turn everything off at the plug when not in use to ensure no energy goes wasted.  Remember to turn the lights off when you leave a room and replace normal light bulbs with energy saving ones.

You can also turn things down, such as the thermostat and water temperature. Turning the central heating down by just 1 degree can save you up to 10% of your heating bill.

Use water sparingly; boil only as much as you need for a cup of tea or a pan of pasta. Add a water brick to your cistern to reduce the amount of water used during a flush. Consider installing a cheap water-saving shower head to save a large amount of water every day. And be sure to turn the tap off whilst you brush your teeth.

If every household in the UK applied just a few of these energy saving tips the amount of electricity, gas, water and money saved would be astronomical.