Being energy efficient can seem costly if your options seem to be limited to solar power and rainwater harvesting systems, but making a few changes around the home can mean dropping bills and giving the environment a little bit of a boost.
Buy the right utilities
Making sure you have the right utilities is going to pay off wonders when looking to make a home more energy efficient. One way to cut back on the cost of utilities is by switching to a propane-powered heating system, instead of an oil furnace. Propane is an efficient, clean-burning fuel that reduces energy costs and carbon emissions. Furthermore, propane can be used for cooking, clothes drying, pool heating, and many other applications. You can Learn all the ways propane can be used for your home and make it more energy efficient by researching online.
Another way to make a home more energy efficient is by using solar power. Solar panels can be installed on the roof and used to generate electricity, reducing the need for power grid electricity. Talking about appliances, each appliance, whether a washing machine, tumble dryer, or microwave, tends to have an energy-efficient rating. Generally, these go from A to G, with some utilities moving up to an A+++ rating; either way, the higher the energy efficiency rating, the less water or electricity it will use to get the job done and the better it is for the environment.
Install insulation
Insulation can cost up to 300 to install, whether on the roof or the walls. However, ensuring that it is installed can drop heating bills by around 200 a year, so in a couple of years it’ll have paid for itself.
Cavity wall and loft insulation work by trapping heat within the home meaning that heating can be on a lower level.
Using modern methods such as spray foam insulation Olds, you can ensure that the walls of your home trap air better and reduce energy wastage.
Make sure you have energy-efficient windows
If energy efficiency matters to you the most, then having composite windows is a must. They are extremely efficient. In terms of thermal performance, composite windows offer outstanding value for money. They have a U-value of 1.0W/m2k (0.6 for triple glazing), an air permeability of Class 4, and an air permeability of Class 3.
One of the major advantages is that they can be installed without any hassle by MWT Windows and firms like them. If you are somebody who has a lot on their plate and less time to take care of their house, these windows could be all you would need because they need the bare minimum maintenance to last for a long time. Overall, they can be the perfect choice for a home that wants to be completely energy efficient.
Cut down your shower time
Cutting down the time you spend in the shower and getting rid of baths altogether is a great way to save money and energy on a number of levels.
The more you use an electric shower the more it is going to cost in the long run on your energy bills, cutting a ten-minute shower to a five-minute shower is going to halve this cost.
Anyone using a water meter can save money by simply using less water, so cutting out baths, probably the biggest reason for water use is the best way to do this.
Keith Hodges is a financial journalist writing news and advice articles on how to cut your bills and stretch the family budget at CashCompass.co.uk.
