There’s no escaping the fact that energy bills feel like they get higher each month. No matter how much you tell the kids to turn the lights off in rooms that they’re not using, or how often you put on an extra jumper and skip putting the heating on, it can feel like the cost of energy just keeps rising. For most families, energy bills are a significant expense. So, it’s understandable that so many people are taking steps to make their homes more energy efficient, both for the sake of their bank balances and the environment.
Reducing their energy bills and playing their part in protecting the planet are key priorities for many families. But understanding how to do this effectively can be challenging. Here are some of the most effective changes you can make to your home to boost its energy efficiency:
Upgrade Your Windows and Doors
Whether you have wooden windows and doors, or older double glazing, the chances are that your home loses a lot of warm air through them in the winter and lets a lot of hot air into your home during the summer. Windows and doors are common weak points in a home’s energy efficiency. So, upgrading them with new double glazing is a great way to keep your home at a more comfortable temperature throughout the year without needing to whack up the thermostat each winter.
Switch Your Light Bulbs
One of the fastest and simplest energy efficient improvements you can make to your home is to replace your existing light bulbs with energy efficiency alternatives. There are a few different options available when looking for energy efficient lighting, but the most energy efficient of them all is LED lighting. Changing incandescent light bulbs and replacing them with LEDs can help you to use up to 80% less electricity when lighting your home. Unlike older energy-saving light bulbs, LEDs light up quickly without delay, so you shouldn’t notice much difference in brightness compared with your existing lights.
Introduce a Heat Pump
There’s nothing worse than having your boiler suddenly break down. Unfortunately, you can always guarantee that this will happen on the coldest day of the year, just when you need it the most. If your current boiler is due an upgrade and is getting towards the end of its useful life, it may be worth considering changing to a heat pump.
Using a heat pump to heat your home and provide your hot water can offer several advantages. Firstly, a heat pump has a much longer lifespan than a traditional gas boiler, and should last up to 25 years. Heat pumps are three times more energy efficient than gas boiler, and produce around 70% less carbon. Grants are available to pay towards the cost of installing a heat pump at your home.
As you can see, there are many ways to make your home more energy-efficient, each helping you to protect the planet and reduce the cost of running your home.
