Three Ways To Upgrade Your Home And Save On Utility Bills This Year

*This is a collaborative post on ways to upgrade your home and save on utility bills this year

If you’re looking to renovate your home for a better quality of living, there are lots of modern upgrades that can be made. Not only will these help to keep your house warm and comfortable, but they’re also guaranteed to reduce your utility bills considerably – something we could all benefit from in the current climate. Ready to get started? Here are our top three upgrades you’ll want to consider this year.

Save on utility bills with underfloor heating

While traditional radiator systems work, most of us find that we need to keep them on for a long period of time if we want to heat up the entirety of our homes. Generally, radiators only effectively warm the small amount of space that surrounds them, which can result in uneven temperatures and cool spots throughout the rest of the house.

Underfloor heating systems are much more effective at heating large spaces and maintaining steady temperatures. While they tend to be seen as a luxurious amenity, the underfloor systems that use water are actually much cheaper to run than other heating systems. They’re incredibly energy efficient, 25% more so than radiators – the systems cover such a large surface area that the water inside them can be heated to much lower temperatures than the water in radiator systems. Just make sure to draught-proof your home so that the heat is retained, to know that you’re getting the most for your money.

Water harvesting system

Rainwater harvesting is becoming increasingly popular as a more eco-friendly way to use water throughout the home. This kind of system does exactly what it says on the tin – stores rainwater for use in your sinks, showers and toilets, for a more sustainable, cheaper way of living.

While this upgrade does require a harvesting system to be installed, once it’s done, the effort becomes worth it and the savings are obvious. Though of course, how much you save will depend on the size of your tank and the usual cost of your water bills. While rainwater harvesting is allowed in the UK, it’s important to note that there may be stricter regulations in other parts of the world. Whether or not it’s legal in your area will depend on local water levels and environmental needs – so, you’ll want to make sure to check local regulations before getting a quote.

Save on utility bills with solar panels

Solar panels are an incredible innovation that have really made waves in recent years. In fact, they’re highly coveted by homeowners seeking a more eco-friendly way of living, as well as those hoping to reduce the cost of their energy bills. Currently, the average 3.5 kWh system could save you up to £465 yearly.

While there’s a large upfront cost that comes with having solar panels installed, the immense energy savings mean that you could break even on your investment within the first six years of ownership (most solar panels last about 25-30 years in total). Plus, the panels themselves need very little maintenance, making it much easier to recover that initial cost.

The best upgrades for considerable savings

There are so many smart upgrades that you can make to your home in order to cut your living costs. In fact, this list isn’t exhaustive – you could also choose to insulate your home, use energy efficient LED lighting, or install double glazing. Upgrading to underfloor heating, harvesting rainwater and using solar power are perhaps the best ways to get started however, and will help you to see the most drastic savings on your utility bills.