9 Effective Ways to Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Today, advancement in technology coupled with innovative thinking have largely curtailed energy consumption especially in the domestic sector. Small yet logical means have taken over high expenditures which means homeowners won’t have to spend a fortune towards energy saving measures and can contribute towards higher energy efficiency.
Between 2022 and 2023 energy consumption across the UK saw a decline of 0.6% though not significant, yet a notable one indeed. Encouragingly, the domestic sector has witnessed a record low in energy consumption with a decrease of 6% owing to energy saving measures such as home insulation, installation of energy efficient equipment, and similar behavioural changes. Currently, the average energy price is capped at 6.34 pence/kWh for gas and 24.85 pence/kWh for electricity, an increase of £21 from the previous cap.
According to predictions by Cornwall Insight, (an energy research & analytics firm) though energy prices may go down during April & October this year, high domestic energy prices will remain and may even be the new normal. Some reports suggest that the energy price cap is all set to get a revision every three months and all eyes will be on the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), a standing authority that regulates energy prices.
The truth now is that higher energy prices are here to stay, and homeowners are not at the luxury of making choice with regards to energy prices. However, there are smart ways to save on your energy bills and make a big stride towards higher energy efficiency for a sustainable and eco-friendly future.
Energy Efficient Appliances
When it comes to energy efficiency there are a number of appliances you will be
surprised about that can in fact reduce
energy bills.
Dishwasher
If you didn’t know, using a dishwasher instead of the conventional means which is
washing by hands will save a lot of
water. This is because, a dishwasher uses 1.2kWh of electricity per cycle which amounts to about 50 pence per
day and
uses 10 times less water than hand washing means.
Breakdown – The current average cost of electricity in the UK is around 30 pence/kWh which when equated with the energy usage of the dishwasher comes to 36 pence/hour.
Tip – Run your dishwasher at full loads than half loads which will provide the best results in terms of energy efficiency and cost. Upgrade your dishwasher to A rated model (energy rating label) will at least save you £30/year.
Toaster
If you had a choice between using a toaster oven or a microwave oven, to toast
your bread, then toaster should be your
go to choice. Toasters ovens are small in size and have shorter pre-heating times than microwave ovens making
them an
ideal choice for better energy efficiency.
Breakdown – If you use a toaster daily for 60 seconds (1minute) to toast a bread that could serve 4, it will cost you £7 per year. A microwave if used for 60 seconds if costs you 0.5 pence/minute, then a toaster will cost you 0.02 pence/minute.
Tip – If you want a means to reheat leftovers, bake and toast smaller quantities of food then toaster ovens should be your go-to choice for significant energy savings.
Use of solar panels, air source heat pumps, skylights all make a significant impact on energy efficiency and help in significant energy savings thus reducing your bills
Other Appliances – A Fridge-freezer, washing machine, or a kettle may come across as daily necessities which you cannot do without. However, selecting a higher energy rating (A rated) appliance and limiting the use may be the only options.
Insulation
Did you know that insulating your walls and lofts can save you up to £450
annually on your energy bill?
Cavity wall insulation reduces heat loss by sealing any gaps between the layers of cavity walls. Mineral wool, polystyrene beads, cavity foam insulation, are recommended.
Loft insulation for at least a depth of 270mm is recommended by the standards of building regulations. Fiber glass, mineral wool, foams can be used as materials which have high heat-retaining capacity.
Internal Wall Insulation is an affordable means to improve thermal performance and energy efficiency of a house. Materials such as lime, cork, foam boards, mineral wool offer the best insulation outcomes.
Other insulation means such as floor insulation and draught proofing can be considered depending upon the need and budget.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency by Construction Methods
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are counted among the most effective energy
efficient construction methods. With a
higher R-value and solid thermal mass properties they offer excellent thermal insulation enabling facilitating a
stable
temperature throughout the year.
Timber Frame construction is considered highly energy efficient as they act as natural insulators and help in better temperature control. Unlike other methods, timber frame constructions enable solid sealing at doors, windows, and joints and resist leaks escaping outside.
Sheet Piles utilise earth’s natural heat whilst effecting minimal to no disruption to the soil and offer as sustainable heating and cooling means. Sheet piles utilise renewable energy forms for heating purposes and can greatly reduce Co2 emissions. In addition, their installation costs are extremely low and as against other renewable methods and thus can significantly reduce energy bills.
Trench Piles transfer the load from construction into soil layers and are installed by soil displacement or by soil excavation methods. They offer solid support for foundation works especially in sewage and provide excavation support to help retain soil against larger loads.
Glazing
Double glazing your windows significantly helps in achieving energy efficiency
thus saving big on your energy bills by
preventing heat loss and ensuring warm/stable temperatures at indoors. An A or A+ energy rated double glazed
windows are
recommended for best results.
Adjust Your Heating Controls
They say small changes transpire into big benefits. Did you know that just by
lowering your thermostat by 1 degree will
reduce your electricity bill by at least 10%? Try adopting such simple yet effective measures for better
results.
Turn off the Lights
Though this is obvious, turning off lights when not in use can save you up to £8
annually according to the Energy Saving
Trust. Following such simple yet important tips will contribute big towards attaining higher energy efficiency.
Sealing the Gaps
Sealing leaks through the gaps of your doors and windows is crucial from an
energy efficiency perspective. Use of
weather stripping for doors and caulks as sealants will help attain a balanced temperature resulting in
optimal/lower
energy consumption.
Replace the Bulbs
If you are still in the incandescent era, it is high time you switch over. Opting
for a CFL by replacing an incandescent
bulb will save you £8 annually per bulb. Furthermore, in the era of LEDs, upgrading to an LED bulb instead of a
CFL will
lighten your electricity bill by at least 20%.
Switch to Renewables
As discussed earlier switching to renewable energy-efficient options such as
solar panels, heat pumps, rooflights are a
must for today’s expensive urban lifestyle. Though you may have to invest highly upfront, you will be backed by
assistance from grants and incentives from governmental organisations and other means. Schemes such as the Great
British
Insulation Scheme are there to help and support homeowners in terms of affordability and incorporation.
Conclusion:
Thoughtful yet simple approaches can actually transpire into immensely beneficial
results in the long run. Whether for
projects of higher magnitude or for small scale internal adjustments, going through the energy saving book will
help
save a lot and makes you a direct contributor for an eco-friendly environment.
Start your green initiatives today and contribute to the change towards
an energy efficient planet. Contact our experts
at Extension Architecture today!
