Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency in 9 Steps
Taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of your home is extremely important, not just for reducing your energy bills but for reducing your carbon footprint.
We all want to make a difference and protect our planet for generations to come but we don’t want to sacrifice too much of our own comfort in the process.
In this article, we will be sharing how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency to achieve simultaneous comfort and sustainability.
Let’s get started.
How to Improve Energy Efficiency
If you’re wondering how to increase energy efficiency in your home, we’re about to share nine ways you can make this happen. We hope our tips help you take proactive steps towards a more energy-efficient home and lifestyle.
1. Monitor Your Thermostat
Your thermostat controls how much energy your home uses. You typically set your thermostat to maintain your home at a certain temperature and it’s what switches your heating on and off to keep the temperature stable.
However, it can be easy to forget about your thermostat and just leave it ticking over in the background. Monitoring your thermostat, ideally daily, allows you to make adjustments as necessary.
Even better, consider installing a smart thermostat to reduce your energy costs even further. A smart thermostat will show the energy rating of your house and tell you what your energy consumption looks like on a typical day. It’s an extremely useful tool and, when used alongside a smart utility meter, is one of the best ways to take back control of your energy usage.
On average, smart thermostats can save you 10-15% on your home’s energy output, reducing wasted heating and cooling costs. Many smart thermostats can be monitored remotely and some even use sensors to determine when you’ve left the house and the heating can be switched off.
2. Fit Quality Window Shutters
Not only are window shutters a stylish addition to your property, they actually play a valuable role in improving your house’s energy rating and efficiency.
Fitting quality window shutters help you trap warm air in the rooms where you need it the most. When shut, window shutters can also reduce cold draughts from coming in. Shutters also keep your home cool on hot summer days as the slats are adjustable – letting the light in whilst filtering out any excess heat and noise.
If you haven’t considered the many benefits of window shutters yet, but are hoping to make a sustainable upgrade to your property, window shutters could be a good solution for you.
3. Install Automated Lighting
Installing lights that automatically turn on and off, depending on whether you are in a room or not, can also help you save energy. Automatic lights are a great option if you’re someone who regularly forgets to turn the lights off when you leave a room.
According to EE, “some of the most energy-efficient smart light bulbs are estimated to be around 80% more efficient than typically household light bulbs meaning that you can save a sizable amount of money when you need them on as well as when you switch them off from anywhere with Internet access.”
While they are more commonly used in commercial buildings, automated lights are becoming increasingly popular in domestic households, particularly as homeowners and renters adopt new habits to reduce their energy costs.
4. Upgrade Your Boiler System
You may find that your boiler is the main troublemaker when it comes to inefficient energy usage in your home. Old boilers typically use a lot of heat and this makes them far less efficient than their modern counterparts.
If you’re wanting to improve your home’s energy efficiency, we highly recommend upgrading your boiler to a more efficient model. This can be a big expense initially, however the long-term benefits of reduced heating costs, increased comfort, quiet operation, and more are truly invaluable.
5. Insulate Your Loft
Did you know that one quarter of heat is lost through your property’s roof? If you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home, insulating your loft is a great solution.
There are many ways to insulate your loft, from roll-out wool insulation to spray foam insulation, but the end goal is the same: to reduce heat loss and keep your home warm and comfortable all year round.
6. Install a Smart Meter
Do you know how much energy you’re using on a daily basis? Do you know how much it’s costing you?
Installing a Smart Meter is a great way to monitor your energy consumption and see how small changes you make around your home can have a big impact. Smart meters display your energy usage and cost in real time, helping you make proactive changes that help keep your energy bills under control.
Most UK households should have a Smart Meter already installed, which is great, but not everyone uses theirs. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t pay much attention to their Smart Meter, we encourage you to plug yours in and take a look at the display. You might be surprised (or perhaps even encouraged) by the information it gives you!
7. Fit Double Glazing
In the UK, it’s vital to have double-glazed windows. They keep your home warm, they reduce noise from outside, and they increase your home security. Not to mention, they have the added benefit of increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
A lot of the heat in your home leaks out of the windows. Whether they’re not properly sealed or they are single-glazed, you could be losing valuable heat throughout the day. So, rather than turn up the radiator it’s time to deal with the cause of the problem: your windows.
Installing double-glazed windows gets rid of this issue. It ensures you have windows that are properly sealed, of high quality, and able to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. Double glazing prevents heat loss and keeps your property comfortable, whatever the weather is doing outside.
8. Invest in Energy Efficient Fittings
Did you know that there are little changes you can make around your home to improve its energy efficiency? And it doesn’t have to cost the earth. In fact, it will actually save you money in the long run. Here are some of the ways you can improve the energy efficiency in your home:
- Install LED light bulbs
- Swap your taps out for low-flow taps
- Use a low-flow toilet
- Have a shower instead of a bath
- Use water-saving showerheads
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances
Energy-efficient fittings and appliances can have a significant impact on your overall energy usage. You will likely discover that by switching your home’s fittings to energy-efficient alternatives, your energy consumption and bills are significantly reduced.
9. Be Mindful of Your Energy Use
Making the changes we’ve suggested isn’t the only thing that will improve your home’s energy efficiency; you must also play your part. Being mindful of your energy use is the first step. You should be mindful of how long your showers are or whether you could hang your clothes on the washing line rather than popping them in the dryer.
It’s up to you to monitor your energy usage and make changes where necessary. Hopefully the tips we’ve shared provide you with a good place to start.
Final Words
Being mindful of your energy usage and taking proactive steps to improve things is an important first step in improving your home’s energy efficiency. We hope this article has been helpful.
Most importantly, we hope it encourages you to start making positive changes today. After all, when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint and helping save the planet, there’s no time like the present.
