Quick Tips on How to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

When your home is more energy-efficient, this leads to lower bills and a reduced carbon footprint. There are many things you can do to make your home more energy efficient. From upgrading your lighting to ensuring your appliances are clean, so many things can assist in making sure you cut down your energy bills, so you're paying as little as possible. This is very important during the winter months when you tend to spend more due to heating and spending more time indoors.

Energy expert William Hobbs at MyJobQuote.co.uk has teamed up with a range of other home and energy experts to create this list of quick tips on how to make your home more energy-efficient. Take a look at the complete list below and try some of these tips today to reduce your energy bills and cut down your carbon footprint.

Upgrade to LED Lighting

If you want to quickly improve the energy efficiency of your home, there is something super-fast and simple that you can do. Simply changing your light bulbs can make a big difference. “Switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs can significantly reduce electricity consumption," says Joshua Martin, home expert and owner of Atticus Home Buyers.

“Compared to conventional incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs consume substantially less electricity and have a longer lifespan. Installing motion sensors or smart lighting systems can also help make sure that lights are only turned on when necessary. Over time, this can result in significant energy savings," says Vikas Kaushik, CEO of TechAhead.

Keep Your Appliances Clean

“Households are busy places, and while we all strive to keep on top of general cleaning, you may not have the time to regularly deep clean every corner of the home. But did you know that dirt can have an impact on the efficiency of your larger appliances?” asks Liz Hunter, director at Money Expert.

Hunter goes on to explain that “large appliances, like fridges, cookers, dryers, dishwashers or washing machines, can gather dust or become dirty over time. This can impact their energy efficiency, resulting in higher energy bills as they'll need more energy to run.” She goes on to explain that one example of this is fridge filters, which need 

to be kept clean to run properly. Dusting the condenser coils regularly can help your refrigerator run as much as 25% more efficiently. With this in mind, you want to aim to keep on top of cleaning your appliances regularly for the optimum energy efficiency.

Seal Gaps and Insulate

“Ensuring your home is properly insulated and sealed against drafts is crucial, especially during the colder months", explains Rich Mullins, founder and owner of H2O Plumbing. “Consider insulating your attic, walls, and floors.” Insulation can help to keep the warm air inside your home and prevent the cooler air from entering your home.

“Seal gaps around doors, windows, and ducts to prevent heat loss. You'll notice a significant reduction in heating bills while improving comfort," Mullins continues. By sealing off all gaps, you will be able to keep more heat in your home, and this will mean your boiler won't have to work as hard to keep your home warm, resulting in lower heating costs. You will also find that your home stays warmer for longer.

Turn Down Your Thermostat

Tommy Mello, home service expert and founder of A1 Garage Door Service, says that one of the best things you can do to save money on your energy bills is to keep your central heating on low or turn it down slightly.

“Even though it's inconvenient when you're trying to stay warm, especially in the colder winter months, reducing the thermostat's temperature by just a few degrees can have a significant effect on your heating bill”, Mello explains. You can keep yourself warm in other ways, such as using blankets and hot water bottles on particularly cold nights.

Invest In Solar Panels

“By harnessing solar energy, homeowners can significantly reduce their reliance on the grid and reduce energy bills. In the UK, a typical solar PV system could save many tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere over its lifetime," explains Jonjo Rowlands, energy expert at Effective Home. John Bloomfield also agrees, explaining that "The average three-bedroom household with solar panels installed can expect to save around £362 per year on their energy bills by using solar panels.”

According to Project Solar UK, a leading provider of SunPower energy systems in the country, homeowners can save up to 70% on their energy bills by installing solar panels. “Solar panels are an excellent way to make your home more energy-efficient. “In addition to saving money, solar panels can also help reduce your carbon footprint. By generating your own electricity from a renewable source, you can significantly reduce your home’s carbon emissions. According to The Eco Experts, a UK-based company that specialises in renewable energy solutions, a typical 4kWp solar panel system can save up to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 per year," Bloomfield continues.

Draught Proof Your Home

According to Liz Hunter, director at Money Expert, “Draught-proofing your home and topping up the insulation in your loft is one of the simplest ways to save money and energy.” It’s a good idea to take care of this now before the cold weather really sets in. “Better insulation helps reduce the amount of energy you’re using overall, including what you use for heating your home."

Hunter also goes on to explain that "A quarter of your home’s heat is lost through the roof, so keeping this warm air inside means your home will stay warmer for longer, and you won't be wasting energy and money. Adding insulation by DIY fitting foam insulation around exposed hot water pipes could cost as little as £15, and the more you add, the more money you'll save.” With this in mind, you should think about focusing on these minor updates before winter strikes.

Invest in Double Glazing

“Double glazing can help reduce heat loss and noise pollution, and it can save you up to £110 per year on your energy bills," says Anthira Harish, owner of Warma Solar. By investing in new windows, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and keep your home warmer for longer. Plus, you can save a significant amount on your energy bills. Although it will be a large upfront investment, the investment will pay off over time.

“The cost of double glazing varies depending on the size of your windows and the type of glass you choose, but it typically ranges from £3,000 to £5,000," says Jack, domestic energy assessor (DEA) at PCBInsider.

Choose a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are a great investment if you want to make your home more energy-efficient. "A programmable thermostat allows you to set specific temperatures for different times of the day", explains Anthira Harish, owner of Warma Solar.

“By adjusting your temperature settings accordingly, you can save energy and money", Harsh continues. “For example, program your thermostat to lower the temperature during the night when you are sleeping and raise it back up in the morning when you wake up.” You can also set your thermostat so that it turns down when you’re not at home and then warms up shortly before you return home. This helps you use less energy and can help you to reduce your energy bills significantly.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Features

“Installing a few additional features to your home can be an effective way 

of saving money on your energy bills", explains Liz Hunter, director at Money Expert. "For example, investing in thermostatic radiator valves can help control the temperature of individual radiators so you can make sure you’re only heating the rooms you actually need. This reduces the volume of hot water going to the radiators, using 

less energy and helping save you money.”

“Another inexpensive feature to consider is installing an energy-efficient shower head, which regulates the water flow to reduce the amount you use when showering", Hunter continues. Small changes can make all the difference in how energy efficient your home is and how much you pay for your energy bills. “If you’re in the market for a new appliance such as a refrigerator, washing machine or tumble dryer, choosing one with a rating of A+ or above (A+++ is the top rating) will ensure that it’s more energy efficient but also kinder to the environment too.”

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many things you can do to quickly improve your home's energy efficiency. These tips will help you to keep your home warmer, reduce your energy bills, and reduce your carbon footprint. Just a few simple steps can make a huge difference, so consider trying out some of these expert tips today.

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