The rise in energy prices this winter will hit many homes hard, there’s no denying it. British Gas and SSE are just two of the UK’s major suppliers increasing costs up to 10% for gas and electricity and more are expected to follow suit.
With annual energy bills ready to hit the £1,500 mark, now is the time to act and improve your home’s energy efficiency. So how can you go about reducing your energy use in the home?
- 1). Insulation
Did you know up to 25% of the heat you produce can be lost because of inadequate home insulation? And depending on how you choose to boost insulation, the work can pay for itself in as little as two years, before providing you with decades of savings. On top of this, the right insulation will even add value to your home.
So where do you start? Well a good place to look at first is the roof, because heat naturally rises. In fact it’s the roof that can lose more heat than any other area. Loft insulation will help you to retain more heat in the home and don’t forget the hatch either to eliminate those pesky draughts.
- 2). Windows and doors
Inefficient windows are one of the main areas in the home you’ll suffer cold spots and draughts. So what can you do to resolve the issue? Well double glazing is an excellent starting point and will dramatically improve energy efficiency. With two panes of glass separated by an efficient gas spacer they’re able to lock heat in the home.
Switching your doors will also prove well worthwhile. By replacing old doors which could have warped over time, you’ll provide a greater air seal to minimise draughts and keep more heat in.
- 3). Boilers
The older your boiler is, the more inefficient it’s likely to be. So what does this mean? Well a modern A-rated boiler should operate between 90% and 95% efficiency. An inefficient boiler may work at just 70%, wasting hundreds of pounds worth of heat.
Replacing your boiler could save you more than £300 each year and will also minimise the risk of a boiler breakdown in the heart of winter, when you’re relying on your central heating the most.
- 4).Energy conservation
There are a number of habits you can adopt which don’t cost any money at all and will instantly see you reduce your energy usage. How often do you leave your TV on standby or forget to turn off the hallway light at night? Just switching these off could see you making a big saving.
Another area to consider is the heating thermostat. Turning it down just one degree could save you an amazing £65 every year and you probably won’t even feel a difference in the temperature of your home.
Running your washing machine at 30 degrees is also another easy way to cut the amount you spend each day. Staying in the kitchen, you could even invest in a more efficient refrigerator. All appliances should come with an energy label (between A and G), with A being the most efficient.