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Writer's pictureGary Carter

Making Homes More Energy Efficient For Enhanced Comfort and Better Value

Updated: Sep 1, 2023

Introduction

Are rising energy bills causing you stress as a homeowner or landlord in the UK? It's time to take control of your energy expenses and make your property more energy-efficient without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive blog post, we'll explore practical tips and cost-saving calculations to help you reduce energy consumption and save money. Join us on a journey where we share personal anecdotes from our experience as both homeowners and landlords, showing you that energy efficiency is within your reach.


The Benefits of Making Homes More Energy Efficient

Energy efficiency offers a host of benefits for property owners, including:

  • Reduced Energy Bills: By implementing energy-efficient measures, you can significantly cut down on your monthly energy expenses.

  • Increased Property Value: An energy-efficient property is more attractive to potential buyers and tenants, potentially increasing your property's value.

  • Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption reduces your carbon footprint and helps protect the environment.


Planet Earth from outer space

Funding Available to Boost Energy Efficiency And Help Move Homes Towards Net Zero

To help move our society towards net zero and tackle the climate crisis, there is heavy emphasis now being placed on decarbonising various sectors including housing which is the second largest polluting sector in the UK. There are significant amounts of money set aside in government backed funding schemes to install energy efficiency measures into homes to get as many homes as near to net zero as possible. The types of measures that could be funded include:

  1. Improve Insulation and Sealing Proper insulation in walls, floors and roofs as well as draft-proofing can prevent heat loss in the winter and keep your property cool in the summer. Investing in high-quality insulation and seal gaps around windows and doors will create a more comfortable and energy-efficient space.

  2. Install Smart Central Heating Controls: Control at Your Fingertips Smart thermostats allow you to precisely control your property's temperature, optimising heating and cooling efficiency.

  3. Upgrade Windows and Doors Old or poorly sealed windows and doors can lead to energy wastage. Upgrading to double-glazed windows and energy-efficient doors will enhance insulation and reduce energy loss.

  4. Explore Solar PV Installation Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can harness solar energy to power your property. By generating your own electricity, you can reduce your reliance on grid energy, saving money and increasing your energy security.

  5. Consider Air Source Heat Pumps Air source heat pumps are an excellent option for both heating and hot water production. They work by transferring heat from the outside air into water and can be effective even when the outside air temperature is low. They are energy-efficient and can save you money in the long run, especially when run in conjunction with solar PV and battery storage. Installing an air source heat pump can lead to significant energy bill reductions but won't be suitable for all properties. Heat pumps tend to be most suited to properties that have been well insulated and therefore have lower energy demands for heating.


A heat pump control panel

Other Measures That We Could All Consider To Do Our Bit

Whilst there is funding available to cover the cost of upgrading the fabric of homes and generating green heat and energy, there are also smaller things we could all do to contribute and further reduce our energy usage and costs:


  1. Switch to LED Lighting for Bright Savings LED lighting consumes significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. By making the switch, you can reduce lighting-related energy costs significantly.

  2. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, such as Energy Star-rated refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, can lead to substantial energy savings. Manufacturers display energy efficiency ratings on appliances.


Conclusion

By following these practical tips and making small changes, you can save money on energy bills while also reducing your carbon footprint. Increasing the energy efficiency of your property doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive and can even be funded by decarbonisation funding schemes that are available today. At Optify, we're experts in getting this funding into the hands of those that need it. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more.




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