Keeping home energy costs down isn’t just good for your wallet, it’s also good for the environment. Small changes, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or unplugging electronics that aren’t in use, can make a big difference in your monthly energy bills.
You can make changes such as switching to energy saving lightbulbs, switching off unused plugs, or bigger projects such as loft insulation, replacing appliances etc.
Invest In Appliances
Using energy efficient appliances is one of the easiest ways to save money on your energy bills. By reducing your electricity consumption, you also reduce greenhouse emissions and conserve water.
Whether you’re shopping for new home appliances or simply upgrading old ones, make sure you’re buying appliances with an Energy Star label. You may be eligible for financial help to do so with the Eco4 Grant which allows homes across the UK to make energy-efficient changes.
Insulate Your Home
One of the best ways to keep home energy costs down is by properly insulating your house. Almost any home can benefit from more insulation, particularly older homes. The R-value of a home’s insulation determines how much heat it keeps out and in.
Wall and attic insulation are easy to DIY, but you may need to call in professionals for duct insulation in crawl spaces or attics, since this involves cutting through the interior drywall. You can also improve the performance of your heating system by sealing ducts and closing vents in rooms that aren’t used.
Turn Of Unused Appliances
Many appliances and devices use electricity even when they’re turned off. This power draw, known as vampire load or phantom energy, adds up over time and can increase your electricity bill.
Unplugging appliances when not in use is an easy and effective way to reduce your phantom energy usage. A few items to consider are TVs and gaming systems (which often have standby lights), microwave ovens, hi-fi or audio equipment, computer chargers, and anything with a digital display.
Install Heat Pumps
A heat pump collects energy from the air, water or ground and concentrates it to be used indoors. This can replace your gas or oil heating system and save you money on both installation and running costs.
Heat pumps are available as a ducted system (air-to-air) or as ductless systems called mini-split heat pumps. The ductless units have an internal unit that has a coil and fan. It acts as an evaporator in cooling mode and a condenser in heating mode.
Rose Woofter writes about sustainable luxury and the growing trend of eco-friendly, yet lavish, travel experiences, with a focus on heritage railway carriages.
