January has ended and maybe some of your resolutions have too. However, saving money is more than just a new year’s resolution, it’s something we try to conquer all year round. Thankfully, saving energy and saving money go hand-in-hand, so here are some ways that you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce those monthly outgoings at the same time.
1. Insulation
If your loft, walls and pipes aren’t insulated, why? Layers of insulation prevent heat from escaping your home, meaning that your home will become warmer, quicker. In turn, you needn’t have the central heating on full whack all night long and you’ll save lots of money in doing so. Insulating cavity walls alone can save you up to £180 every year!
2.Draught-proofing
This comes hand-in-hand with insulation. Research new and different ways of draught-proofing your home. Some examples include thermal curtains which allow heat to enter the room during the day, and stop it from escaping at night. If you don’t already have them, look into getting double-glazed windows. Make sure that bedroom and living-room doors are always shut tight to stop heat escaping into rooms that quite frankly don’t need heating.
3. Buy a boiler
Depending on the age of your boiler, you may want to look at investing in a new one. Inefficient boilers could be adding over £200 to your energy bills! The efficiency of a boiler is rated between A and G, with A being the most efficient – so bear this in mind when shopping around if you’re wanting to save a bit of coin. If you do have a new boiler, it’s probably a good idea to check out our range of covers to make sure that you’re not having to splash out again any time in the near future. Click here to see what we offer or call us on 0345 3192 247!
4. Monitor your use
Energy monitors cost around £30 and can be placed somewhere in the home that’s visible to everyone. Seeing how much energy is being consumed and what by may well shock you, and your behaviour will automatically change once it’s being monitored. Research shows that being able to keep an eye on your consumption with a monitor can reduce your energy bills by up to £110 every year.
5. Efficient appliances
We all know about switching appliances off at the mains, but try thinking of new ways to use your appliances more efficiently. Instead of raring up the oven to cook a meal for one, why not cook a large batch and refrigerate them to heat in the microwave at a later date? You’ll have several meals from one use of the oven. After cooking, leave the oven door open to help the heat escape and circulate around the kitchen. Simple tips and tricks such as this will also help you to slash your energy bills, meaning more money towards that new car or family holiday.
