How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Home
With just a few simple changes, you can make your home a much more energy-efficient place and also save yourself some money in the form of lower energy bills. Here are some top tips for how to increase the energy efficiency of your property and also save yourself some cash in the process.
Insulate Your Loft
Poor insulation in the roof of your home and walls can be a big contributor to wasted energy. But with good insulation in place, you could save yourself hundreds of pounds a year in energy costs and keep your home warmer in the colder months.
Replace Your Air Con Unit
Older models of air conditioners can use as much as 40% more energy than modern energy-efficient models, so if you have an air con unit in place in your home, consider replacing it with a modern option with new Filter King air filters that will be 10% more efficient and use up to 40% less energy.
Upgrade the Boiler
An inefficient boiler can add hundreds to your energy bills each year, so while investing in a new one is an expense you may not have planned for, it will save you money long-term. It’s also a brilliant way of drastically reducing the carbon emissions of your home, as boilers account for as much as 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions of a gas-heated property.
Hang Thicker Curtains
Not all switches to energy efficiency need to be complicated – sometimes, it’s the easier options that are the most effective. Hanging thicker curtains on all of your windows will help prevent heat from escaping and make your home warmer. It’s also a good idea to buy some stick-on insulation to put down the sides of doors that are prone to a draught which will warm up your home and lower your heating costs.
Monitor Your Energy Consumption
Most families aren’t aware of how much energy they waste but investing in an energy monitor will help you quickly find out just how much you’re using. They’re relatively inexpensive, and some gas or electricity companies will provide them for free to their customers, but they’re a great way of observing just how much energy is being used each day so you can see where to cut costs. Even small steps like switching off lights when you leave the room, making sure the TV isn’t playing when no-one’s watching it and remembering to turn off appliances can quickly add up to a noticeable impact.
Use an Energy-Saving Shower
Baths use up a lot of water, so showers are typically considered a greener alternative. But if you’re spending 20 minutes at a time standing under a scalding shower then you’re probably not saving as much energy as you think. In fact, some showers can use more water in five minutes than a whole bath. Replace your showerhead with a water-saving option and this will help you to cut back on the amount of water and energy you use.