How to make your home more energy efficient

How to make your home more energy efficient

 

Modern homes are much more efficient than they were 30 years ago, but there is still much more that can be done. Many of us could save 20-30% on our energy bills through improvements such as the purchasing of more energy efficient appliances, sealing air and duct leaks, and adding loft and cavity wall insulation.

           

Preparing your heating for the winter

Winter is the season when we consume the greatest amount of energy, mainly for the purposes of keeping warm. Having your central heating system serviced before winter will help. You can also vacuum out the vents and other heating apparatus. And consider having a setback thermostat fitted. It regulates the temperature, allowing the home to be less warm when you are away or asleep. 

 

Seal gaps around doors and windows.

Put in weather stripping around doors and windows and caulk gaps where necessary. A large amount of heat is wasted through doors and windows not being sealed correctly.

 

Seal any other leaks

Use caulking and weather stripping around entry points for all pipes and ducts that travel through an external wall.

 

Check the fireplace.

Take time to check the chimney to make sure it is clear of leaves and nests built by birds or squirrels.

 

Inspect your insulation

Check out your roof. One of the most efficient ways to save on heating is to have sufficient loft insulation. If you don't know how to tell, look for your ceiling joists. If you can see them, you need more lagging.

 

 

Keep your hot water hot

It costs about 14% of your overall bill to heat your water. Wrapping an insulation blanket around your water heater, insulating your water pipes and considering the installation of a timer on all electric water heaters can save you money. And you could turn the direction of heating vents from up to down because hot air always rises.

 

It is important that we all make our homes more energy efficient for future generations and ourselves. Conserving energy just makes sense. Saving energy equals saving money..

 

Energy efficiency and energy conservation is important all year round. And it begins with us.

 

 

This article has been brought to you by Jay Khan on behalf of Powergen.  Powergen is part of E.ON - the company that sponsors The FA Cup and the UK's largest integrated electricity and gas company

 

Powergen is part of E.ON - the company that sponsors The FA Cup and the UK's largest integrated electricity and Gas Company; Provides Home Energy Services such as Central Heating maintenance, Boiler Repairs and Boiler replacement amongst other services, it connects homes and businesses to power and gas, fits energy efficiency measures and boilers and provides all types of metering services.