Are you looking to decrease your carbon footprint and save a bit of money? Luckily, there are many things that you can do to help make your home more energy-efficient. Some simple changes around the home can make a big difference to both your energy bills and to the planet.
It can sometimes be a little bit confusing figuring out where to start with making your home more energy-efficient, and many people aren’t aware of some of the very small changes that can have a great impact. That’s why we’ve created this list to help you figure out how to get started with making your home more energy-efficient. Let’s dive right in…
Turn Down The Thermostat
Turning down your thermostat is one small change that can make a big difference. This may seem tricky, especially in the winter months. However, the lower you set your thermostat, the lower your energy bills will be.
You don’t have to dramatically reduce the temperature. Just a couple of degrees lower than usual can help you to save some money. If your house gets a bit chilly, simply close your curtains to retain the heat or make use of things like blankets and hot water bottles. It’s also worth investing in some thermal curtains for the winter months if your house gets quite cold as this can help to keep a lot of the heat inside.
A smart thermostat is also a great investment, which could help you save hundreds of pounds each year. A smart thermostat works by just heating the rooms that you’re using. You can control these systems with a smartphone app, so you can conveniently heat your home as needed. This helps you heat your home much more efficiently and allows you to save a lot of money.
Avoid Leaving Appliances on Standby
You can save a lot of money on your energy bills and improve the efficiency of your home by turning off your electric appliances whenever they’re not in use. Rather than allowing them to sit on standby mode, they should be fully switched off.
Consider things such as laptops, TVs, washing machines, and printers that you wouldn’t normally turn off completely. Switching these items off at the source can help you to save around £30 each year.
Wash Your Clothes at a Lower Temperature
If you wash your clothes at 30 degrees rather than higher temperatures, this will use roughly 40% less energy, saving you around £50 each year. However, it’s important that you choose a detergent that is capable of working at lower temperatures. If you have to wash your clothes multiple times to get them completely clean, this will defeat the purpose.
On the note of washing your clothes, it’s also important to try to do full wash loads rather than doing lots of small loads. This will also help you to save energy. So next time you put a wash on, make sure you go around the house and collect everyone’s washing before putting the load on. The fewer times you put the wash on, the more money you can save.
Install Loft Insulation
If you properly insulate your loft, this can help to keep the heat in your home and will result in lower energy bills. You may not realise it, but insulating your loft can actually save you hundreds of pounds in energy costs each year.
You don’t have to stop at insulating your loft. You can also insulate cavity walls around your home as this can help reduce your carbon emissions and lower your heating bills.
Get a New Boiler
Although you may be put off initially by the price of a new boiler, it can actually make a huge impact on your home. Your heating accounts for around 55% of your energy bills, so a new boiler can have a significant effect on your home’s energy bills.
Upgrading your boiler from a G-rated boiler to an A-rated boiler can help you to save roughly £300 each year. So you can see that the initial investment in a new boiler will soon pay off.
Install Double Glazing
If you want to help keep your home warm and save on energy, consider consulting this Perth-based expert for double glazed windows. Using two panes of glass can help to trap more heat inside your home. With double glazing, you can then lower your thermostat, and this will result in you being able to save a lot of money on your energy bills.
When you install double-glazed windows in your home with an A++ rating, you could save around £115 per year on your energy bills.
Consult a company like Climateframe Double Glazing to find out how this solution can reduce noise pollution and increase energy efficiency, alongside fitting the product if decided you’re wanting to go ahead with double glazing.
Try Using Solar Energy
One of the best ways to significantly lower your energy bills is to make use of solar energy. Installing solar panels on your home’s roof will allow you to generate your own electrical power rather than paying for electricity. You can produce around 40% of your home’s energy with the use of solar cells. In addition, you can also sell your excess energy back to the National Grid and make a little bit of money back from your investment.
However, solar panels are not cheap. They could cost up to around £12,000. Although the systems are pricey, solar panels are the best way for you to save money on your energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of your home. It’s important that you check with your provider first, as some companies will provide free solar panels if you return any income that you make through selling your excess energy back.
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