How to make your home more Energy Efficient in 2023
Last year there was a sharp rise in the Cost of Living with energy bills up to double what they were the previous year, placing a huge strain on many household finances. Although the Government is providing some support to help those struggling to make ends meet, homeowners may be able to reduce costs by saving energy wherever possible.
When deciding which energy-efficient improvements to make in your home, a good starting point is to find out your property’s energy efficiency rating. We’ve put together some of our top tips to help make your home more energy efficient in 2023!
1. Insulate your Home
Before you begin to think about which kind of heating your home may need, it’s important to ensure your insulation is to a good standard. Ensure you have good ceiling insulation as hot air rises. It’s also generally the easiest, cheapest, and most effective insulation to install.
2. Monitor your Energy and Power Usage
Monitoring your energy use will give you an idea of whether you are wasting energy, and if so, where. “There are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of residential homes, and energy monitoring holds the key to successful energy management,” says Dominique Fletcher at Schneider Electric. “Using an energy-monitoring device allows you to monitor and analyse your electricity consumption, learn how to save energy, and help the environment at the same time.”
3. Use Energy Saving Lightbulbs
According to the Energy Saving Trust, using energy-efficient LED lightbulbs could save you up to £7 per bulb per year in energy costs if you’re replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb, or up to £10 per bulb per year if you’re replacing 75-watt incandescent bulbs. So this is also another quick and easy change that can be made to make your home more efficient this year.
4. Get a Programmable Thermostat
Why keep your heating on when you’re not using it? A timer can ensure that the heating is set to ‘off’ during the day, when the house is empty, and programmed to turn on shortly before you’re due home, making the house warm and cosy for your arrival. Your towel rail can also be programmed to warm the towels in the early morning and evening, rather than wasting energy staying on all day.
5. Avoid The Tumble Dryer
Did you know that tumble dryers are one of the more expensive appliances to run? If you’re trying to keep your monthly bills down, we advise avoiding this energy-hungry appliance altogether and opting for a good old-fashioned drying rack. The Energy Saving Trust claims you can save £70 a year if you never use it.
6. Keep Internal Doors Closed
One of the simplest ways to keep your home cosy is by closing doors behind you. If you’re watching TV in the living room, close the door. It will help keep the heat in and in effect will mean your central heating doesn’t have to work as hard or as long to reach your desired temperature.
7. Don’t Block Your Radiators
If you have the space to do so, move large items of furniture away from your radiators. If you have a sofa or sideboard pushed up against the front of your radiator, they could be blocking the heat flow into the room. Obstructing your radiators means they will have to work much harder to warm up the space.
When it comes to energy saving there are a whole host of things you can do to keep your bills lower, but the bottom line is, you probably need to do a few of these things to see a noticeable difference in your bills.
