How To Make Your Home Energy-Efficient
Many homeowners are considering the benefits of making their home energy-efficient – especially with the fact that the climate crisis shows no signs of stopping. By 2050, most homes will need to have energy-efficiency measures in place to ensure that they are up to a certain standard, to help countries reach net zero targets. Furthermore, making your home energy-efficient can save you hundreds on your energy bills as well as adding value to your home – so it’s definitely something worth considering! Here are 4 ways you can start making your home energy-efficient.
Insulate Everywhere
One of the best ways that you can make a home energy-efficient is to insulate your home as much as possible, and insulation prevents heat from escaping. 35% of your home’s energy will be lost through your loft, 10-15% will be lost through windows and doors, and up to 20% can be lost through the walls. Asking a retrofit assessor to come to your home and tell you what types of insulation would benefit you is the best way to get the best insulation for your home – just make sure that they have the appropriate retrofit qualifications before attending.
Refit Windows and Doors
The main reason why energy is lost from the home is through single-glazed glass – it allows the transfer of heat to happen more quickly. Sometimes, gaps where the glass has been fitted can also result in energy loss from the home – however, by fenestrating your windows and doors with double or triple glazing can significantly cut down how much heat is lost from your home. Adding extra layers of glass significantly reduces how much heat you lose – and it can also add value to your home. Ensure that all fenestration workers have CSCS cards, such as a green, gold or blue CSCS card to work on your property to ensure the best work gets done.
Add A Smart Meter
One of the more simpler ways in which you can make your home energy-efficient is to add a smart meter, which will track exactly how much energy you’re using on a daily basis alongside the cost. When you can see just how much energy is being used, you will be able to see where the weak points in the home are – such as leaving things on standby, or leaving things running when they don’t need to be. Adding a smart meter is a great way to understand your energy use and make cuts where necessary.
Get Solar Panels
Energy-efficiency doesn’t just mean preventing energy loss – it can also refer to supplementing energy use with renewable energy. This means that less energy from fossil fuels are used on a daily basis, cutting emissions down significantly. Solar panels can generate a lot of energy for your home – in some cases, people were able to sell energy back to the energy companies from their solar panels! Just ensure that all of your solar panel installers have the appropriate construction NVQs, so that you know that the job will be done to a high standard.
