Money doesn’t grow on trees so we’ve put together six simple modifications you can make to your house and garden that will help you save on energy bills.
1. Insulate or top up your insulation
First, insulation. Not very glamorous and in fact hard to see once it’s done, but what a difference it makes. It can turn a drafty old property into a cosy home. It’s estimated that a quarter of the heat in a home is lost through the roof if it’s not properly insulated, and the payback is immediate.
You may think that your roof has been insulated, but if it was done a few years ago, it’s probably nowhere near the standard of insulation that is now regarded as adequate. If your roof space is not too complex or irregular, you can try doing this as a DIY job. Use mineral wool, which is available in rolls. Start by putting a layer between the joists, and then put the next layer at right angles to cover the joists and achieve a sufficient depth.
Be aware though that while the house is warmer, the roof space is colder, so any pipes in the roof will need lagging.
2. Double-glaze doors and windows
As well as making the house much quieter, and which of us wouldn’t welcome that, this will have a major effect on keeping drafts out and heat in. Other advantages include no more rattling window frames if you live in a windy area, so you can enjoy improved sleep and warmer mornings.
3. Consider changing your boiler
This is a somewhat controversial area, and you need to balance the energy-efficiency of new boilers with their shorter life and higher maintenance costs. With a new boiler coming in at £2,000, it’s not something you want to replace often. Yet some of the new energy-efficient boilers have poor reputations for longevity. And they really need to be on a monthly maintenance plan, which makes them less cost-effective. You need to weigh up your heating needs and consider the size of your house and the region you live in.
4. Invest in a programmable controller for your heating
One degree down on the thermostat is equal to 3% down on your energy use and therefore on your bill, so take a look at your thermostat. But once you’ve done that, make sure that your programmable controller is reflecting your heating needs and isn’t running when you’re at work. When the clocks change, adjust the heating timer straight away.
5. Replacing drainage pumps
People who use drainage pumps for ponds or swimming pools need to make sure they’re up to date. The new models are far more energy-efficient and retain suction, so they don’t have to be run for so long.
6. Invest in new appliances
You may think your freezer is a low-energy appliance, but you have to remember that it is on 24/7, so any reduction in the energy it uses is going to pay a big dividend. It’s worth getting a super-rated fridge and freezer next time, because these both need to operate at maximum efficiency. And keep the freezer filled as far as possible, because an empty freezer is even less efficient.
Shop our drainage pumps online now. With these provisions in place, you should be sitting smugly when the next lot of winter storms rolls in.
