7 ways to improve home energy efficiency

Simple changes can help your home stay warmer for longer.

1. Switching your lightbulbs

It’s the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to make a difference to your energy output. 

2. Double glazed windows

One of the most effective ways to keep warm in your home and make it more energy efficient is to get double glazed windows. 

3. Utilise the energy of the sun

You might be surprised by how much energy you could save by adding solar panels. Even in the UK’s cloudy climate they are a great source of renewable energy. Choose from two different kinds. Solar PV panels convert light energy into power, and they don’t need direct sunlight to work – so they’re still effective on cloudy days. Or go for solar water heating. This heats your hot water tank rather than your home.

4. Energy from the ground

How about generating energy from the ground? Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) can be buried in your garden to absorb the heat from the earth and use it to fuel your home. Fluid-filled loops are placed under the surface and warmed by the earth’s natural thermal energy. The fluid is then passed through a compressor to increase the heat. 

5. Insulate your home

There are three kinds of insulation you can tackle in your home.

  • Cavity wall insulation
    Cavity wall insulation is a simple and cost-effective way to keep your home warm. If your home was built post-1920s, chances are it will have a cavity wall. Which is great for keeping damp at bay, but can leave you a little chilly if it’s not properly insulated. Pack dense, insulating material between the inner and outer walls of your property (the cavity) and it will keep the heat in and cold out.
  • Solid wall insulation
    Solid wall insulation is what you’ll need if your home was built before the 1920s or does not have a cavity. This kind of insulation goes outside the building, as a kind of insulating cladding.
  • Loft insulation
    Loft insulation tackles the heat rising and escaping through the roof. In fact, if you’re loft isn’t properly insulated then you could be losing as much as a quarter of your home’s heat. That’s a lot of money and energy.

6. Get a smart thermostat

A smart thermostat is perfect if you want to take control of your heating and your energy usage. The software learns how to heat your home most efficiently.  If you’ll be in your home for a while, a smart thermostat could be a good investment. 

7. Upgrade your boiler

New boiler models are more efficient and more cost-effective than old ones. Replacing your boiler may help you save.

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