Do you feel as though your home isn’t as energy-efficient as it could be? Maybe you feel as though you need to make a big change, but at the same time, you don’t know how to go about doing it. Either way, if this sounds like you, there are a few things you can do to try to make a positive change.
Turn the Thermostat Down
One of the first things you need to do is try to turn your thermostat down. Hand-turning down the thermostat knob will put your heating in a more energy-saving mode, which will help you a lot. If you want to help yourself, try to make sure that you are taking the time to turn your heating down by a small amount, as this will have a dramatic impact. If it’s quite cold outside, then you may find it hard to turn it down by a significant amount, but if you can take your time and make sure that you are just doing it in small increments as time goes on, this will help you quite significantly.
Stop Putting Stuff on Standby
Putting stuff on standby is also a very bad idea. From the TV in your kid’s room to the hairdryer, printer, and even the DAB radio, there will be a lot of appliances that will drain your home’s energy if you leave things plugged in. Sneaky energy vampires like this can really cause big issues for your home, and you would be surprised at how much it could make a difference. If you can plug all of your appliances into a standby saver, then this will help you to program it via a single remote control. This will then cut the power to the appliance when it’s in standby mode, so it’s worth the investment.
Add some External Wall Insulation
Adding some exterior wall insulation is also a wise thing to do. Adding some external wall insulation is a very good thing to do, as homes lose around a third of their heat through the walls. A detached home will lose heat on every side because it’s so open to the elements. If you have a mid-terraced property, then this won’t lose nearly as much heat, but at the same time, it’s still a wise idea to insulate your external walls if you can. External wall insulation involves you taking the time to affix some insulating material to the outside of the wall and then covering it with either plasterwork or cladding. If you can do this, then you will find that it is easier for you to feel better about your energy savings.
Insulate Flooring
Insulating your flooring is also a very good idea. Believe it or not, around 10% of your home’s energy is lost through the ground floor. For this reason, you should make sure that it’s insulated if at all possible. There’s not much use in insulating upper floors, but if you have a room that is above a garage or if you have any other kind of unheated space, then adding some insulation could be a brilliant idea. As with the walls, you do need to make sure that you understand which type of floor you have so you can choose the right insulation.
Watch your Water
Another thing you need to do is try to watch your water. You need to make sure that you are saving money on water where you can as well. A good way to do this would be for you to try to take the time to make sure that you are investing in water storage solutions. You can also buy emergency water tanks as a way to try to make sure that you are keeping water without wasting it. This can be a great way for you to make sure that you are never without water, and that you are also taking the time to safeguard your family for the future. Small moves like this can make a big difference to your household, but at the same time, you also need to make sure that you’re not overlooking them if you can.
Add Roof and Loft Insulation
Installing some roof and loft insulation is also a wise idea. This is the best way for you to make the most out of your home’s energy efficiency, and if you insulate your loft, it’s entirely possible for you to cut your energy bills by up to 20%. Bungalows and bigger properties lose a huge amount of heat through the roof, but if you can install some loft insulation, then you will see the biggest benefits. Although this can be a bit of a job, it can help you to benefit later down the line.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are also a good investment. Even though the outlay is expensive, it’s a great way for you to make sure that you are investing in your home’s future and that you are also not spending money that you don’t have on energy all the time. Solar panels can pay for themselves in no time at all, but the amount you need will largely depend on the type of home you have. You can also take out solar panels by using financing, as this is a good way for you to make sure that you are always moving forward and that you are investing in your home’s future.
Change your Doors
Double-glazing has been around for a very long time now, but at the same time, replacing your single-glazing is a good way for you to try and cut down on your energy bills, and it can also add value to your home. Double-glazing might be common, but make sure that you don’t overlook triple-glazing, as this can make an even bigger difference, and add more value to your home overall, which is great to say the least. If you want additional tips, be sure to have an energy audit done so you can really reap the rewards.
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