26 November 2023
The cost of running a home is on everyone’s mind as energy bills soar following the recent interest rate rises. We’ve put together some of our top tips to help you get the most out of your homes, heating, and electricity:
Air-source heat pumps are the future of heating! Despite what the mainstream media may suggest, air-source heat pumps offer a comfortable and energy-efficient alternative to conventional heating sources. Most homeowners who have had air-source heat pumps installed report a good level of comfort along with significant energy savings. One of the advantages of this system is its ease of installation and maintenance. It can be used in combination with other heating systems, such as boilers, to generate heat for hot water.
Another advantage of air-source heat pumps is their impressive efficiency rates. They can generate an average of 3kW for every kW of electricity they use, resulting in a 300% efficiency rate. This is in contrast to the 92% efficiency of a standard gas boiler, which leads to a significant difference in running costs.
With heat pumps being mentioned, it’s worth noting that heat pumps run more efficiently at lower-flow temperatures. To help maintain a lower-flow temperature, it’s better to use underfloor heating to achieve this. Accurately produced floor panels assisted with the implementation of a dry heating system circulate the heat making for an overall more cost-effective, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance heating option.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average UK home spends around £35 a year on powering appliances that they have left on standby. It’s so easy to leave your appliances plugged in, turned on and on standby but the best way to cut down on energy consumption is to turn off appliances at the wall when you aren’t using them. You could also invest in a standby detection outlet/extension cord – these are great as they detect when an appliance goes into standby and cuts off the power completely until you next use it.
On average, poorly insulated homes lose approximately one-third of their heat. However, effective insulation can help keep heat inside your home. You can easily improve your home’s energy efficiency by installing roof and loft insulation. According to the UK Government, insulating your loft can reduce your energy bill by 20%. Additionally, wall and floor insulation can make a significant difference. Properly insulated floors and skirting can save up to £70 per year and keep you warmer. Taking these small steps can make a big difference in your home and to your wallet.
Although the initial installation of Solar Panels can be quite costly, it is one of the most effective ways of making your home energy and cost-efficient for the future. Larger systems have been found to generate as much as 4kWp which is capable of supplying the energy needed by a family of three or four. This can save you up to £300-500 in the first year of use alone with around 5% return rate over a 25 year life span.
Turn your heating down by a degree or two.
Don’t block your radiators.
Block any draughts.
Shut doors so your rooms retain heat.
Wash your clothes at a lower temperature.
Swap baths for showers – lower your water usage.
Turn off lights when not in use.
Switch your energy supplier – always shop around!
There are many ways to future-proof your home, whether you are ready to leap into the future of air-force heat pumps and solar panels or you wish to start small by washing clothes at a lower temperature or turning off your standby appliances.
Every effort to lower our carbon footprint, large or small, makes such a difference.
For more information on how to make greener choices in your home, take a look at the government website Help for Households where you’ll find practical hints and tricks: https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/energy-saving-advice/
