Having a home that has poor energy efficiency is like buying a car with two tyres- it simply doesn’t work long-term and can cost you a lot of money to maintain!
The average home has drastically increased its energy drastically since the implementation of double-glazed windows and air-tight seals around doors, but if you notice that your home still has climbing energy bills, or that there are drafts, you may need to look to improve the energy efficiency.
This isn’t too hard, or too expensive, and here you will be shown how to do it to save you and your family money.
Conduct a Home Energy Audit
Firstly, you need to conduct a home energy audit. You can do this yourself with some simple tricks, but if you are unable to conduct the audit due to mobility issues, you can ask a professional energy assessor to oversee this for you.
This will usually involve doing a quick inspection of your home by checking for air leaks around the windows and the doors, assessing the vents, and looking at the electrical outlets. Have a look at the insulation in the attic to assess if there are any gaps. Check the boiler for leaks, and also, while it may not seem as important, review appliance age.
A longer-term step is to check energy bills to see if they randomly spike and, if they do, it may be time to book an assessment.
Insulation!
Mentioned earlier, insulation is a key part of maximising the energy efficiency of your home. Insulation that is correctly fitted will keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thereby reducing the need for excess heating and cooling. Also, air leakage can affect the energy efficiency of your home, as it allows hot air to escape and cold air to come in, leading to energy wastage and, of course, hot and cold spells.
Window Fittings
Do you still have single-glazed windows? Or do you have a feeling that your double-glazed windows are no longer working as they should?
A key sign of an issue with double-glazed windows is the appearance of moisture between the two panes of glass, fogging, or simple drafts. If you note this at any window in your home, it is worth contacting a window installer like Aladdin replacement windows for a complete replacement or sealing to stop the cold air from getting in. This will prevent you from needing to have the heating on so high, which will save energy.
Energy Efficient Appliances
If you are able to, you should also check the appliances that you have in your home and replace them if needed. How do you know if they are energy efficient? Look at the labels! Ideally, you will want appliances like cookers, dryers, washing machines, and fridges to have an energy rating of A.
Explore Natural Lighting
Wherever possible, it is worth looking into natural lighting options, which can involve the placement of skylights, sheer window covers, and even using lighter colours in darker rooms. This improves the energy efficiency by preventing you from needing to use lighting, which lowers energy consumption.
