The outcomes of COP26 have placed an incredible amount of scrutiny on the world’s most developed countries, and their carbon neutral pledges. Energy efficiency is something we get asked about a lot: ‘What can I do to make my home more energy efficient?’
Great question!
The best way to make your property more environmentally friendly while remaining comfortable is through a few small improvements that can make a huge difference.
To help you decide which route to take, we have compiled a list of the most common, and effective, ways to improve energy efficiency.
Hot Water Tank Insulation
Insulating your hot water tank is a simple, but often overlooked method of improving the efficiency of your property. Think of it as a giant tea cosy – for your water tank!
By insulating the water tank, less energy is required to keep the water hot. This improvement is also very cheap, with the cosy’s widely available from just £10.
Low Energy Lighting
Installing modern bulbs is another fantastic way to save money, become more environmentally friendly, and replace unsightly yellow lightbulbs that take ages to reach their full brightness. The most popular option today is without a doubt, LED.
LED lightbulbs are growing in popularity due to their money-saving benefits. They also look great, transforming the look of your home with comforting white light.
What’s more, they will not break the bank. The typical LED bulb comes in at £6-£10 and there are ‘smart’ options available for tech-savvy users.
Draught Proofing
Older homes often suffer from draught. Sealing cracks around window frames, letterboxes, and the bottom of your door frame can keep your home more comfortable. Meaning your thermostat remains at a low setting throughout the winter months.
The cost varies depending on how much you need to draught-proof, but decorators caulk is available at many stores from just £8 a bottle.
High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
Retention heaters are relatively new to the market in the world of energy efficacy, and they are receiving praise for their unique features. Retention heaters use energy at off-peak times (when electricity is cheapest) to heat a specially designed high-density material, to store heat. This heat is then released during the day as needed. Many of these new-style storage heaters benefit from a smart capacity function, adjusting to the needs of the home-based on temperature.
While Storage heaters can save you a lot of money in the long term, they do come with an increased installation cost. The average cost of purchase and installation is £1000 – £2000, depending on the model.
Room in Roof Insulation
As the name would suggest, room in roof insulation provides more energy efficiency in the loft of your property. Many styles of Roof can be insulated, including sloped and flat, if your loft has been converted, it can still be insulated!
While it can be done in a DIY, we suggest hiring a professional. If mistakes are made, you could suffer from damp and condensation.
Double Glazed Windows
Double glazing is one of the best ways to increase the energy efficacy of your home, replacing draughty single-pane windows.
Double glazing means you benefit from two panes of glass separated by a vacuum that provides an insulative barrier and heat trap.
The cost of double glazing can vary according to the number of windows you would need to be installed. We would always recommend doing your research and seeking multiple quotes to guarantee value and quality.
M A S O N S is one of Hertfordshire’s leading lettings agencies. We offer an award-winning letting experience for landlords through highly flexible and quality property management services covering Hitchin, Letchworth, Fairfield Park, Stotfold, Biggleswade, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield.
Contact M A S O N S today. Call 01462 557 477, or email [email protected]
