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As the winter months settle in, you might find yourself paying more attention to how efficiently your home uses power. While the cost of gas and electricity keep rising, energy efficiency isn’t just about saving money, it’s about creating a comfortable, sustainable living space.
With a few practical adjustments, you can reduce energy waste, improve your home’s performance and even boost its value in the process.
Upgrade your insulation
Without insulation, your heating or cooling efforts can literally go out the window, or through the roof. As heat rises and escapes most easily through the top of the house, adding or upgrading loft insulation can trap warmth where it’s needed, cutting down on your heating bill dramatically.
Older properties often lack cavity wall insulation, allowing cold air to seep in through the gaps. Consider having a professional inspect your home to see if cavity insulation is an option. Even solid walls can benefit from internal or external insulation, while fitting insulation between wooden floor joists can keep draughts at bay and make your home feel cosier underfoot.
You might also choose to extend your energy saving efforts with insulated garage doors that help protect from the elements. This can be particularly useful if your garage doubles as an office, gym or other space.
Install energy-efficient heating systems
An outdated boiler or heating system can be one of the biggest drains on your energy consumption. Swapping an old boiler for a modern, energy-efficient condensing boiler can improve performance by using less fuel to achieve the same level of heat. Pair this with a smart thermostat, and you can fine-tune your heating schedule to match your exact needs.
If you’re looking to future-proof your property, consider renewable heating options such as air-source or ground-source heat pumps. These systems extract natural warmth from the environment and convert it into heat for your home. While the initial investment is higher, government incentives and long-term savings can help offset the cost.
Seal draughts and enhance glazing
Even the warmest houses can feel chilly if draughts are allowed to creep in. Walk through each room with a sharp eye to identify any cold air sneaking in through windows, doors or floorboards. If needed, you can use draught-proofing strips for doors and windows or invest in a draught excluder for letterboxes and keyholes.
Single-glazed windows are notorious for letting heat escape, so upgrading to double or even triple glazing can transform how warm and energy-efficient your home feels. If replacing windows isn’t in the budget, secondary glazing film or heavy thermal curtains are cost-effective ways to reduce heat loss.
Adopt smart energy practices
Beyond physical upgrades, adopting smarter habits can work wonders for efficiency. Washing clothes at 30 degrees uses less energy and keeps items looking fresher for longer. Avoid overloading appliances, as they’ll work harder and use more energy.
Lighting is another key area. Replace outdated bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs that use a fraction of the power and last significantly longer. If you often forget to switch off lights or appliances, consider installing motion sensors or timers to do it for you automatically.