Are you planning some eco-friendly upgrades to your property? If the answer’s yes, you’re not alone. DIY retailers have reported sales booms as a result of people making home improvements in lockdown. Updating your property is a great way to reduce your long-term environmental impact and save money on energy bills.
There are lots of ways to do it though – and they might not all be right for your home. We’ve laid out some of the key options below to help you go green.
Upgrade your boiler
Older boilers tend to lose a lot of heat, whereas modern options like electric boilers offer close to 100% efficiency. Upgrading to a newer model can reduce your emissions significantly and save you money on bills too – even if the installation doesn’t come cheap.
Boilers are rated on a scale of A to G in terms of efficiency, with A being the letter to aim for.
Invest in insulation
Poorly insulated roofs and walls are also serial energy wasters. Better insulation could help you retain heat and rely on heating less, while also reducing risk of damp.
Your loft is a great place to start given how much heat can be lost through the roof. Solid walls, cavity walls and floors can also be insulated – though you might need to get approval from building regulators.
Improve your glazing
Heat also leaks through windows, so if you don’t have double or triple glazing installed already, it could be time to splash the cash. You’ll save money in the long term – even if the initial cost is steep – and block out more external noise too.
If you’re worried about looks, double glazing comes in plenty of different styles to suit your property.
Monitor your energy usage
Smart meters are due to be rolled out to all UK homes and small businesses by the end of June 2021. These clever devices help you track your energy use in real time and can be a handy reminder to make energy-conscious choices.
They also send automatic readings so you don’t have to, making your bills more accurate in the process.
Generate your own energy
If you’ve got a little more budget to spare, solar panels allow you to take free renewable energy from the sun and use it to power household appliances and lighting. They even work through clouds, so there’s no need to worry about the changeable British weather!
Other options for generating your own energy include ground or air source heat pumps, which both absorb and repurpose heat in slightly different ways.
Could any of these options suit your property and reduce its environmental impact?
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