Energy efficiency is becoming more and more of a priority for homeowners. It isn’t hard to understand why.
It comes with a multitude of benefits – from reducing your bills and increasing your home’s value, to reducing your carbon footprint and helping the environment. What can you do to make your home more energy efficient?
Revamp your Heating
Remember, energy efficiency means using less energy to perform the same action. For instance, let’s start by looking at how you’re heating your home. A traditional gas boiler wastes a lot of energy and relies on fossil fuels. On the other hand, electric heaters are much more energy-efficient and they offer more flexibility as they don’t rely on integrated plumbing. You can mix and match products to suit the needs of your home.
New Doors / Windows
Focusing further on heating, your doors and windows also play an important role in energy efficiency. It is important to ensure that there are no cracks or gaps where heat could escape. Double, or even triple glazed windows can help keep your heating costs down. Effective insulation is also key for an energy-efficient home and doesn’t necessarily need to be a huge investment. You could get thick curtains and rugs to ensure you’re insulating your rooms effectively as possible.
Update Home Appliances
It’s also worth looking at your current appliances. How much energy are they using? Big whiteware items – your fridge, freezer, washing machine – can be costing you without you even realising. Newer models can be much more energy efficient. However, it’s worth noting that you need to recycle your whiteware appropriately. If you’re making environmentally friendly energy decisions, the last thing you want to do is create unnecessary waste. You can assess if it’s the right decision for your home.
Monitor Consumption
Not all energy-efficient home improvements have to include a budget. A simple way of cutting down your usage (alongside your costs) is to be aware of how much you’re using. An energy monitor can help you keep track of your usage. Keep it somewhere you and your household can see so the monitor acts as a reminder. You can then see what times you’re using the most energy, and how you can improve.
Small Changes
There are other small changes that can make a big difference. Whether it’s installing a water-saving showerhead or simply remembering to turn off the lights more. Any action you can take can make a difference in improving the energy efficiency of your home. Focus on making one small change at a time, rather than trying to change everything all at once. You’ll notice the improvements over time.
There are lots of ways you can create a more energy-efficient home. From rethinking your appliances to simply flicking a switch. Do you have any tips on creating a more energy-efficient home?