How To Boost Your Homes Energy Efficiency

With the prices for gas and electricity rising so much everyone’s been looking to boost their homes energy efficiency. And if you haven’t yet then it’s time to, especially before your first bill with the new prices comes in.

Our energy prices seemed to be slowly rising before 1st April but ever since then we’ve seen prices rocket (even though we have solar panels!) And that’s only set to continue going up with the new price review due for October.

Here are some tips to help increase your home’s energy efficiency

Reduce your energy waste

Starting simple (and kind of obviously) but reducing your energy waste is the best way to increase energy efficiency. Switch things off when you’re not using them such as appliances/ lights etc. Cut down the amount of time you use things such as the shower, oven etc.

By doing this you’ll save both energy and money. And it may not seem like much but it all adds up.

Increase your home’s energy efficiency with simple DIYs

If you can’t afford to start fixing things in your house at the moment there are some simple DIY’s you can do. As half of our fuel costs go on heating our homes it’s important to make sure you’re spending wisely.

Apply sealant round old window frames and doors to reduce draughts. And buy a draft excluder to put along the bottom of any doors that seem drafty. That way heat won’t escape underneath. You can hang thicker curtains as a way to prevent heat escaping from older windows, or install a perspex sheet as secondary glazing. This adds another layer of protection between your windows and the outside world, basically giving you triple-glazed windows!

Look into energy efficient appliances

If you’re looking at replacing any of your appliances it’s worth looking into new ones with high energy ratings. This will not only reduce energy wasted when using them, but save you money on your bills.

All large appliances like fridges and washing machines get an energy rating so go for the best you can afford.

Use A Radiator Bleed Valve

A great way to lower your energy and heating bills this winter is by installing an efficient radiator auto bleed valve on your radiators. This revolutionary tool is designed to release the build-up of air by automatically bleeding your radiator, allowing your home to maintain heat in the long run. It also takes away the hassle of manually venting your radiator with screwdrivers every few months. Plus, auto vent bleed valves are able to last up to five years, enabling your home to stay warmer for longer and saving you money over time!

Increase your home’s energy efficiency by using a smart metre

While the smart metre itself won’t cut down your usage and bills it’s a good tool to help you get to know your usage. Check it out while you’re using certain appliances to see what uses the most energy. You’ll probably find yourself running round the house turning things off to see the difference it makes as it gets quite addictive.

Most energy suppliers will fit a smart metre free of charge, all you need to do is reach out to them. Just make sure you keep it in a visible place so you’ll always aware of it.

Here are some more things you should know about smart metres.

Reduce your use of hairdryers, kettles and microwaves

These three things are among the top household items when it comes to energy consumption with kettles being right near the top. Some things you can do to increase your home’s energy efficiency are:

• Only boil the amount of water you need in your kettle. Don’t fill it and boil water you won’t use
• Try and air dry your hair whenever you can and limit your use of a hairdryer
• Let items defrost naturally by pulling them out of the freezer the night before to stop you having to use the defrost function on the microwave.

Making small changes can all add up with your energy usage, your bills and your overall carbon footprint.

How are you helping your home’s energy efficiency?

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