Money, and how to save it, is one thing that all of us think about. Whether it is getting a great deal on insurance, finding that bargain in a shop or perhaps looking at ways you can reduce your outgoings from your home.
Saving energy and the costs related to it has definitely cropped up on many people’s radars of late. The benefits to looking at your energy usage at home is two-fold. Not only do you feel great about doing your bit to help the environment but you also get to keep some of the cash too!
We have put together this helpful guide on how to save energy at home; some of the tips are so easy to put in place that you could be saving money in no time at all!
Lights & Water
The lights around your home can be a drain on electric, so make sure they are only on when you need them to be. You can also replace your halogen light bulbs with LED ones that use less energy but are still bright, meaning that they are the perfect alternative to older style lightbulbs.
Water is another popular form of energy that is wasted in the home. In the kitchen you should try to wash up in a bowl rather than filling up the whole sink. You should also only ever fill the kettle with the water you need rather than filling to the maximum.
Showers can also use more water than they need to. Especially if they take water directly from the boiler or hot water tank. By investing in a water efficient showerhead you can save not only on your water usage but also the gas bill that heats up the water.
Energy-Efficient Doors & Draught Proofing
Like any other part of the home, doors can be insulated and draught-proofed to prevent heat from escaping. According to the Energy Saving Trust, just draught-proofing your doors alone can save about £25 a year on heating bills. When it comes to new front doors, they now generally contain integrated insulation to help reduce heat loss. But, if you have an older front door, it could be worth fitting draught-proofing strips around the seals and letterbox.
Have Better Control Over Your Heating
You may not realise it but half of the money spent on energy bills is for the hot water and heating in the home. The thermostat is the main way that you can control how much energy you use and by turning it down, even by just a fraction, you will see an improvement in your usage and costs.
Always make sure that the heating is only on when you need it to be; either by setting the timer or by purchasing smart heating controls which you can use to turn on (or off) your heating when you are not even there.
Energy-Efficient Double Glazing
Double glazed windows have two sheets of glass with a gap in between, usually about 16mm, to create an insulating barrier that keeps heat in, which is sometimes filled with gas. However, it is important to remember that every window has a different rating when it comes to how energy-efficient it is.
Energy-efficient windows come in a range of frame materials and styles. Performance criteria vary according to the following:
- How quickly heat escapes through the window.
- How much sunlight travels through the glass.
- How much air can escape or come in around the window frame.
Fitting draught proofing to the doors and windows will save the typical household between £25 and £35 a year. To find out more about the energy ratings of windows, visit: BFRC Energy Rating.
Contact Us For Assistance
Here at Cosyhomes Windows, we can advise you on all forms of energy saving in the home, especially when it comes to choosing windows and doors, as well as draught proofing. Our professional installation team will not just tell you how to save energy at home, but can help you choose the right product to reduce your carbon footprint and fit them to the highest of standards.
Hopefully this guide has helped you with some of the basics when trying to reduce the energy usage in your home. For more information, call our team today on 020 8397 4040.
Wow, it’s crazy to think that by installing the right windows, I just start saving energy in my home. I’ll have to start doing my research on the different types of windows that are more energy efficient. My husband wouldn’t mind either, as long as it is saving us money instead of spending it.