Thanks to rising energy costs, millions of people across the UK are facing difficulty in keeping their homes warm in the winter. However, just because things are getting more expensive, it doesn’t mean that you have to be cold and uncomfortable in your own home. One of the best things you can do to reduce your energy bills without sacrificing your comfort is to look for ways you can make your home more energy efficient. That way, you won’t have to keep one eye on the temperature gauge and can relax. In this article, we’ll share some tips to help you do just that.
Examine Your Heating Controls
Most homes have their own central heating system which is controlled by a thermostat and a programmable computer. It’s a good idea to examine these and get an understanding of how they work, as the settings you use will make a big difference to your home’s efficiency and how much energy you use. In addition, you’ll most likely have radiators in each individual room and these will also have a setting that lets you control the temperature they emit.
Before doing anything else, make sure that your heating is only ever on when you actually need it. If you’re away at work all day, you definitely won’t need the heating on. You can program your heating to come on just before you get home, that way the house will be warming up as you arrive. During the night, you’ll also be less likely to need the heating on, as people typically sleep better in cooler temperatures.
Aside from setting the times your heating comes on, you can also set the temperature. Try to use the lowest comfortable temperature if you want to reduce cost. Obviously higher temperatures might feel more comfortable, but your heating system will expend more energy to reach them. You can also turn down radiators in rooms that you don’t use as often to reduce the amount of energy your heating system is using.
Home Improvements
You can make significant changes to how efficient your home is by making improvements such as adding insulation or updating an outdated heating system. Insulation is one of the easiest ways to improve efficiency, helping to trap heat inside in the winter while also keeping things cooler during the summer.
Before you choose the type of insulation, make sure you research them carefully and weigh up the pros and cons. Although spray foam insulation is popular, it does come with drawbacks such as reducing ventilation and covering up potential issues such as leaks and damage. When choosing an insulation material, you want it to trap heat effectively while also still providing ventilation to prevent the buildup of mould.
Aside from insulation, you may also be able to improve areas of your home such as windows and doors. If not properly built and maintained, these can lead to a loss of heat and therefore mean you need to expend more energy to heat your home. Make sure your windows are sealed correctly and that double glazing is used to minimise the amount of energy lost.
Reducing Electricity Costs
One of the simplest ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your home is to simply look at the appliances you use and your overall energy usage. You may find that you can significantly reduce energy use simply by turning off devices at specific times and limiting how often you use things that draw a lot of power.
Find out how much your appliances cost to run and then calculate how much you can save by not using them. You may be shocked at the results, as the average household can often save quite a bit simply by limiting usage of certain devices.