None of us want to see our energy go to waste, especially with the current trend in rapidly climbing energy prices. This article will look at the improvements you can implement in your own home and the methods to improve the energy efficiency of your home and save you money by reducing energy consumption.
How Could a Smart Meter Help with Energy Efficiency?
Having a smart meter installed is an easy way of keeping track of your gas and electricity usage. Best of all, they are completely free. What’s more, your bills will appear accurate and reduce the risk of paying more than you should for your energy bills.
The in-home display for a smart meter keeps accurate track of your energy usage to the pound and pence. Having it all in front of you with easy access can make it easier to save.
Saving on Heat Energy.
Thermostat and Heating Controls
- Set your thermostat between 18-21 degrees during the day, unless your property is occupied by babies, children, or the elderly. In this case, the temperature will need to be warmer. Turning down your thermostat can also save you approximately £75 yearly.
- Programming your boiler to operate at specific times ensures it turns on when needed and off when not in use, preventing unnecessary energy wastage in heating the property. Even smart thermostats can ensure no energy wastage through full control of the heating system when away from home.
Boiler and Radiator Upkeep
- Most importantly, servicing your boiler at least once a year will allow for maximum operation efficiency as well as easily bleeding your radiators. Radiators should not be covered to allow the hot air to travel around a room.
Hot water usage
- Reducing shower time can improve hot water usage, and opting for showers instead of baths allows you to use only what is necessary.
- Installing an electric shower may also improve heat use providing the boiler in question takes a while to produce hot water.
Saving on Electricity with Appliances
Devices
- Our phones, televisions, and computers can play a big part in electricity waste. This can be reduced by not leaving them on standby and unplugging any devices that are fully charged.
Lights
- Turn off lights that aren’t in use. For exterior lights, switch them off during the day or use sensor-based operation. LED lightbulbs can play a big part in saving too, with savings of up to £6 yearly being a possibility.
Washing Devices and Tumble Dryers
- Washing machines can be set to anywhere between 30*C and 40*C without worry of clothes not being cleaned. Clothes can then be dried outside in when appropriate or inside with a dehumidifier for the selected room. A fully loaded dishwasher is a more efficient way of cleaning dishes compared to handwashing.
Fridges and Freezers
- A fridge temperature of 3-5 degrees and a freezer temperature of –18 degrees should be in place and any old appliances should be replaced with newer and more efficient models. Stocking your fridge well and regularly can save energy keeping your food at the right temperature and a routine defrosting of your freezer can help too.
Electric Cookers
- Mass cook meals for the week, freezing them and cooking using a microwave or air fryer, both using less energy than an oven. Any leftovers should also be saved and used within the week. If using the oven is vital, use of the hob over the main oven and keep lids on any pans being used.
How Can Long-term Home Improvements Help with Energy Efficiency?
Several significant long-term options are available to consider which will make your home energy efficient. These can be a variety of installation processes that are outlined below:
Insulation
- Installing and upgrading existing loft insulation is the most active way of trapping heat in your property. At a low cost, this method will improve your energy bill savings as will wall insulation which can create savings in the long run, ultimately paying for itself.
Double and Triple Glazing Windows
- Even though they are considerably more expensive, homes lose a lot of warmth due to windows.
Heat System Upgrades
- Air source heat pumps can be acquired through the government Boiler Upgrade Scheme, if eligible, cutting your carbon footprint significantly.
Understandably, these are methods that require a lengthy process and sometimes a quick fix in the meantime can help. Place draft excluders in front of any exterior doors and interior doors that let in the cold and implement the use of thermal curtains in cold rooms, keeping them shut at nighttime when it is coldest.
What Support Is Available?
Energy bills can be difficult enough without having to think about making improvements to your home and its energy efficiency. There is support available though, taking the pressure of financial worries when investing in your home.
Free Heating Scheme
At Free Heating Scheme, our goal is to help residents within the UK, Wales and Scotland gain access to the grants available to them. These grants open up the possibility of improving properties and making them more efficient.
You can find out below the schemes that you could be eligible for:
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme – a government lead grant of £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump.
Great British Insulation Scheme – find support with loft and cavity wall insulations.