Energy bills make up a significant part of our monthly expenses, and finding ways to reduce these will not only save you money but also make your home warmer and limit the impact on the environment. Here are some simple ways in which you can make your home run more efficiently and save energy.
Lower your thermostat
You could save as much as £90 each year simply by lowering the thermostat in your home by 1ºC. At this level, you won’t notice a difference in the heat, but you will definitely notice a difference in your pocket. You can also turn down radiators that have individual controls or consider installing a smart thermostat so that you can turn your heating on and off even when you are not at home.
Insulate your home
A poorly-insulated property can cost you dearly in terms of both money and heat loss, with figures from the Energy Saving Trust showing that 25% of the total heat loss from uninsulated properties escapes through the roof. If you have very little insulation in your loft, or if it needs replacing, this would be a good place to start. Insulation is fairly cost-effective to install and can be fitted quickly so that you can start to benefit from a warmer and cheaper home.
Look at all your rooms
Often homeowners will focus on the main areas and rooms when they are looking to save on their energy bills and sometimes rooms such as a conservatory can be overlooked; however, these rooms can account for a large proportion of the heat lost from a property. If you have a conservatory you can have solar inserts fitted into the sheets or roof panels, which will help to keep the space warmer and reduce your energy bills. You should also ensure that you think about your boiler (in whichever room this is located) and have a Gloucester Boiler Service company such as http://www.hprservicesltd.com/gloucester-boilers/boiler-service-gloucester/ give it an annual service to help identify any issues before they become big problems.
Reduce draughts
Most of us probably don’t pay that much attention to draughts in our homes; however, reducing these can stop heat from escaping. Some of the areas you should focus on are around the windows and doors, the fireplace and chimney, the skirting and floorboards, and the loft hatch. It is relatively easy to install draught-proofing measures in these parts of the home and you will immediately notice the benefits.
