With a hike in home energy prices and the need to preserve resources, it is time to become energy efficient to cut expensive bills and protect the future of the planet
You cannot fail to have noticed that energy prices have risen over the years. You will also have seen all the news stories about the need to preserve energy resources, and develop new ones, at the same time as protecting the planet for future generations.
The situation is not going to suddenly improve when it comes to the provision of energy. Traditional sources of energy will continue to be depleted and prices will continue to rise. According to the experts at Nexus Energy Solutions, “By 2020, gas and electricity bills will be as much as 20% higher than they were in 2014.” This is why it’s so important that you are wise when it comes to keeping your home energy efficient.
Knowing how your home is performing
There are times when it’s a legal requirement to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) for a property; when it’s just been built or is about to be sold or rented out. However, you do not have to wait for one of these situations to arise before you have an energy efficiency survey carried out. The resulting EPC not only includes the current energy performance rating for your home, but it also provides advice about how you can make changes.
This means that you have the perfect base to start making improvements. While you turn your home into a great looking living space, you can include many energy efficiency measures along the way.
Make insulation a priority
One of the biggest ways to waste money in your home is to not insulate properly. When you are looking at the latest design trends for new windows in your home, do not forget that they need to be insulated. Do not forget about areas of your home that you cannot see either. It’s easy to get carried away with choosing a beautiful bespoke bathroom and not pay attention to the fact that just a few feet above cash is virtually flying through the roof because the loft insulation is outdated. The government provides advice about insulation and potential grants which you may want to take a look at.
Switch to efficient lighting
Making changes to improve the energy efficiency in your home does not have to be complicated; something as simple as changing the light bulbs can make a big difference. Although LED bulbs cost more initially, they are more efficient to use and they last longer. This means that you save money over time.
The recent EU ban on halogen bulbs also means that you may have to replace bulbs over time as it has become illegal for retailers to invest in new stocks. Why not start to change bulbs as part of your regular decorating or cleaning routine.
Use tap aerators to reduce water flow
If you are looking to invest in a new bespoke kitchen for your home; there are many features that you may be thinking of including, from an island to an induction hob. You may not have considered including tap aerators, but you should. These devices inject air into water, every time it comes out of the tap. This reduces the flow of water, helping you to preserve it. This can be especially useful if you have a water meter fitted in your home.
Go Smart with the thermostat for your home
At the very least, you should have a programmable thermostat in your home. Ideally, you should include a smart thermostat in your interior design. If you have a smart thermostat, you have control, no matter where you are. You can even turn off the heating while sitting by the pool on holiday. It’s easy to forget little tasks like this when you are in a hurry to catch your flight.
Make use of solar power
There is no doubt that installing solar panels onto our properties is something that we are going to have to rely on in the future. It makes sense to design your home for solar power today, and make a start. You may have heard that the UK power grid has started to struggle with surges of solar power being provided by commercial and domestic users.
There is some truth in this, although you can still sell excess energy from solar power to the grid. It’s also worth knowing that it’s getting a lot easier to simply store the power that you do not use straight away, so that it’s available to use at another time.
If you are thinking of making changes to your property, do not forget to consider energy efficiency. It should be factored into any of the plans you are making for your ideal home.
