How to make your home more energy efficient
This is a collaborative post
With huge amounts of uncertainty over energy suppliers at the moment and the rising cost of heat and electricity, many families, ourselves included, are looking for practical ways to control energy outgoings and improve energy efficiency in their family home. We are in the middle of a kitchen extension at the moment (yes this close to Christmas!), so now more than ever, we are trying to keep costs down and keep the house warm, whilst reducing unwanted energy loss.
If you are trying to make your home more energy efficient this Winter, here are some hints and tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Loft Insulation
We all know that heat rises, so it’s no secret that a poorly insulated loft can cause significant energy loss from your home. According to the Energy Saving Trust, up to a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home and that despite the upfront cost, insulating your loft can pay for itself in as little as two years by reducing your monthly energy bills.
Double Glazing
Windows are another source of substantial heating loss within the home, with single pained windows often resulting in unwanted draughts, excess noise and poor insulation. The reality is, single pane windows can make the rooms in your home too cold in winter and too hot in summer. To make your home more energy efficient, swapping your windows for double glazing is a great place to start. Double glazing creates a insulation air pocket between two sheets of glass and can substantially reduce energy loss and bills as a result. If you can’t afford to change the windows just yet, even sealing up any gaps around the cills can help!
Check your boiler
Is your boiler due an upgrade? It’s always worth checking your boilers’ energy efficiency rating, as if it is over 10 years old, it’s unlikely to be running efficiently and could be causing higher energy bills as a result. Modern combi-boilers are much more energy efficient, and can save you hundreds of pounds a year despite their initial investment. New boiler installation can also be fast and affordable, meaning you can make a dent on those energy bills right away.
Keep an eye on your energy consumption
Working from home all the time can certainly have an impact on your heating bills, so something like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat or Hive Home is a really sensible option, allowing you to have far more control over your room temperatures and working conditions.
Not only can learning thermostats help save money on heating and cooling costs (normally around 10% in heating costs) but they actually learn and adapt to your schedule. If you are working on a hybrid basis and coming home earlier than planned, you can even manually adjust the temperature on your phone so that it’s nice and toasty on your return.
Manage your laundry
How you wash your clothes can also have a large impact on your energy usage. For a more energy efficient washing routine, stick to an energy efficient rated washing machine, ideally with a larger drum size, allowing you to wash bigger loads and run less cycles. Washing clothes at cooler temperatures or using quick wash options for clothes that are only lightly soiled can also be more energy efficient.
Switch with caution
Finally, I would normally recommend switching your energy suppliers regularly to make sure you are getting the best deal. Due to the fast-changing energy supplier landscape however, the latest advice from MSE, is to do nothing and go on to the price cap when your current deal ends. It appears for once inactivity may be the best way forward!
How do you make your home more energy efficient?
