One of the things prospective buyers look for in a property is its energy efficiency rating. If it has a good rating, you may be able to sell your home for slightly more. Even if you aren’t selling right now, having an energy-efficient home has a direct impact on how much you pay for your energy bills. Here are some tips to help your home be as energy-efficient as possible.
[Photo by Vivint Solar on Unsplash]
Energy efficiency tips
Insulation
Insulation is one of the main ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. If your home has a loft then start there and work through your house. Lofts are great for insulation as heat rises, therefore it can escape through your roof. Also, it is often a cheaper and easier way to keep your home warm.
About a third of heat lost in an uninsulated home is through the walls, so cavity wall insulation, like Isothane, helps to prevent that. If your home is older than 1990 then you may not have any at all. Encapsulation in Cumberland, RI, can also be an effective solution, especially for crawl spaces, helping to seal areas that contribute to heat loss and moisture issues. Keeping heat in means you will use less and pay smaller bills.
Boiler and heating efficiency
Boilers are such a vital part of your home, especially in the colder months. Newer boilers are more efficient, so it could be worth upgrading. It is also good practice to have your boiler serviced regularly to make sure it is performing as well as it can.
Your boiler may work but heat can only warm your home through your radiators. Having properly working radiators is key for energy efficiency. Bleeding your radiators is important to make sure that the hot water can flow through the entire structure, meaning you waste less and utilise the heat well.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is another great way of reducing your energy bills. Solar panels are a popular choice for homeowners looking to reduce their consumption and bill.
Although there is a large initial purchase price, you will be creating your own energy from the sun. On average, solar panels cost around £7,000 to install. As you can use as much energy as you need from them, you may find there are some months that you don’t need to pay an energy bill. Plus, any surplus from the solar panels can be sold back to the National Grid, leaving you with a little extra money in the bank.
Draught proofing
Draughts are horrible if you are trying to keep warm. There is nothing worse than a cold breeze on the back of your neck whilst you are relaxing on the sofa. There are ways to reduce the number of draughts in your home.
One way is to check your windows. You can get window insulator kits to help plug up any holes. Alternatively, purchase some thick, insulating curtains and keep them closed to keep the cold at bay.
