Are you confused on how to save money on those expensive bills? If so you’re not alone because there’s growing concern that more and more homeowners have become “bamboozled” over energy debates in the last few months.
The Energy Saving Trust has discovered that confusion has risen over points such as fracking, increasing energy bills and wind turbines. But the biggest worry is homeowners seem unsure how to save money and reduce gas and electricity bills.
Phillip Sellwood, the Chief Executive of Energy Saving Trust, says: “On the one hand, fear around UK energy supply and rising bills is making people want to take action at home and reduce the amount of energy they use, but on the other hand debates on issues like fracking and wind turbines appear to be distracting the public from making meaningful energy efficiency upgrades which could save them even more money.
“Pound for pound, using less energy in the first place is by far and away the most cost-effective thing to do and should be the UK’s number one priority.”
So let’s clear this up so you’re 100% certain on how you can save money in the home. Take a look at our top four tips below:
- Become energy efficient
Becoming energy efficient is easier than it sounds, because you simply need to change your daily habits to save on the electricity you use in the home. For starters, switch off the TV at the plug when it’s not in use rather than leaving it on standby and don’t boil more water in the kettle than you need. One great tip this winter is to try turning down your thermostat by a degree or two. You can save £65 a year by doing so and won’t even feel a difference in your home’s temperature.
- Consider home insulation
One of the biggest problems facing homeowners is heat loss. A lot of the heat you pay for simply escapes because of poor insulation. But you can fix the issue by upgrading your loft and cavity wall insulation. Heat naturally rises, so as much as 25% can be lost through the loft and roof. With lagging in place, the heat is instead locked in the home. This is the same if you invest in wall cavity insulation. If your home was built after 1920 you’re likely to have cavity walls, and the gap can be filled with insulation. Both of these measures keep more heat in your home, ensuring you don’t need to turn up the thermostat to keep warm.
- Replace your windows
Just like with the walls and loft, heat can also pass through inefficient windows. The best cure here is double glazing. With new window units in place, more heat is retained in the property, reducing your energy bills by as much as £200 a year. If you live in a Conservation Area then you should think about secondary glazing, which is an extra pane of glass being fitted on the inside of the existing frame.
- Produce your own energy
What better way is there to counter the rising prices of energy than to produce your own power? And because of modern advancements there are a few options to consider. First off there are the very popular solar panels, which generate electricity from natural daylight. They’re fitted to the roof and coupled with the feed-in tariff income, can see you with returns of at least £650 a year. You could also think about heat pumps which provide the heat you need for hot water. They’re a fantastic investment and with a grant and incentives on offer, there are excellent savings to be made.