The best home improvements give you something that negates the costs over time. For example, a home upgrade that slashes your energy bills will provide a positive return on investment – sure, it costs money to implement, but the savings you see will mean it basically pays for itself over the years.
On that topic, what are some of the best home improvements to reduce energy usage at home?
Install Energy-Efficient Windows
Heat gets lost through many areas of your home, yet the windows are your biggest concern. Old windows lose their energy efficiency and will let so much hot air escape, which increases the demands on your heating system.
Counter this with a simple home upgrade: some new windows! Double-glazed windows are the minimum standard for energy efficiency, though ZEN Windows and Conservatories can provide triple-glazing for an extra boost. The thicker your window panes are, the more thermally efficient they become. A new set of windows throughout your home will trap heat and make your house easier to warm up, reducing energy usage and saving money.
Upgrade To A Smart Heating System
Smart thermostats and heating systems like Hive or Google Nest give you more control over your energy usage. They must be installed and connected to your heating system, which lets you alter the temperature and call on automations to make sure the central heating turns off when you don’t need it.
Some of the best smart thermostats come with additional features, like the ability to turn the heating on or off in specific rooms. This is genius when the whole family is in the living room or downstairs eating dinner; the smart thermostat lets you turn the heating on in this area while turning it off upstairs, saving energy.
The best thing about this home improvement is that it’s relatively easy to install, doesn’t cost much to purchase and can knock around 10% off your heating bill every year!
Swap Old Appliances For Ones With Better Energy Ratings
The heating bill isn’t the only thing causing your energy demands to go through the roof. Many of us are guilty of using too much electricity, causing a rapid rise in monthly payments. However, you can shift some of the blame off your shoulders and onto your old appliances. Things made a decade or so ago are no longer as efficient as new products on the market. So, your old dishwasher, washing machine and fridge might be the main reason your energy bill is frighteningly high.
Ditch the old stuff and upgrade your home with newer appliances. Every modern appliance is designed with an energy rating – this is a scale that runs from A to G, with A meaning something is as energy efficient as possible and G meaning it’s not very efficient. Swap old appliances with ones that have a rating as close to A as possible for a more efficient home and cheaper energy bills!
Install Smart Lighting Throughout Your Home
While outdated appliances can cause a lot of electricity usage, your lighting is another key culprit. More specifically, you either leave your lights on for too long or they consume too much energy.
Counter both problems with smart lighting in your home. You can find smart lighting options for every light fixture on your property, giving you full control over everything from the brightness of each bulb to when they turn on. Smart lighting helps you save energy by lowering your electricity usage – you can turn off lights from outside your home, stopping situations where you accidentally leave them on all day. You can also dim the lights so they’re not as powerful, thus reducing energy consumption.
Add Underfloor Heating To Parts Of Your Property
The final home improvement involves upgrading the heating system in some areas of your property. We’re mainly looking at the bathroom, kitchen and possibly the living room. Swap out the old radiators for an underfloor heating system.
Why? Because underfloor heating is proven to be more efficient than traditional heating systems. You can heat rooms while using less energy – and it’s also an easier heating system to maintain. Underfloor heating won’t be viable in every room, but it still saves a chunk of money when used in kitchens and bathrooms.
There you have it: five home improvements that will slash energy bills and help you save money. Look at them as investments – it costs money to implement all five, but the savings counterbalance this over time. You’ll look back and realise that investing in these upgrades was a very smart decision.
