Energy bills have shot up over the last 12 months and homeowners are drastically looking for ways they can reduce their outgoings. In fact, in the last year the average energy bill has increased £224 (21%).
And price comparison website uSwitch has suggested that as many as 23 million households aren’t taking advantage of energy saving measures. These could reduce your bills by £675 each year.
Statistics go as far to say as those in the Southeast are most likely to be insufficiently insulated, without products such as loft lagging, wall cavity insulation and double glazing. Staggeringly, many of these homeowners don’t believe investing in insulation is worthwhile and 12% disbelieve the potential savings.
Around 6% also said they think of energy efficiency as a scam, but instead it’s simple logic. The key areas for any home that need insulation are the walls, the roof and the windows. Respectively these account for 33%, 26% and 18% of heat loss in your home.
The cost of installing insulation shouldn’t be a problem either, with many energy suppliers keen to help homeowners make the most of energy efficiency. EDF is actually offering assistance to people even if they’re not customers. One of the major problems with this is that householders aren’t aware help is available.
Kevin Sears, energy efficiency expert at uSwitch, says: “In these cash-strapped times consumers are weighing up the savings they can make by being energy efficient against the initial outlay.
“For many the concern is whether the savings will outstrip the cost. But with winter approaching, and energy bills having rocketed by 21 per cent within the last year, it’s more important than ever that consumers are able to cut back on the amount of energy they use by being more energy efficient.
So whether it’s double glazing units for your inefficient windows, or loft lagging to prevent draughts, you should invest in some form of insulation and cut your fuel bills. With a warmer home you won’t need to turn your boiler up and you’ll soon reap the rewards.