When it comes to modern-day homes, they are absolutely making the most of energy efficiency while also keeping the environment in mind. Whether you are looking to remodel or you’re on the hunt to buy, we are going to keep you updated on the latest energy efficient upgrades to look out for and ways in which you can actually save money in the long term. What I mean by this is that no new instalment of technology costs pennies but the benefits it has for a wider audience and cost-effectiveness in the long term are major. For example, solar panels on the house are a huge one; even when you aren’t using energy, you are making them, which could slice those energy bills by triple.
It’s gotten to the point where people are seeking out these energy-efficient upgrades because, trying to keep up with the inflation of everything around us, the only way to keep costs down is if you have the whole team helping you, whether it’s insulation, heating systems, solar panels and the rest. These are some of the only resorts that can help people combat the cost of energy while also remaining sustainable and green.
Not to mention they are hot on the market right now so with these little upgrades, you are adding value to your home, which is a happy all-around bonus when you think about it. So without further ado, we are going to get into some of the energy-efficient upgrades that are all the talk of the town this year!
Insulation
This might completely depend on how many upgrades have been made to your house and if it’s brand new, as well as whether or not you have quality insulation throughout the house. Did you know that up to 35% of heat is lost through your walls due to poor insulation, cracks, door joints and roof space? That’s a third of what you spend on a monthly basis being thrown out of the house, essentially.
People are even adding conservatory roof insulation to make sure that the whole house is protected from heat loss during the winter months. It is important to note that insulating the whole house is a much easier task for newly built and relatively modern houses. Those made with stone can be very expensive and difficult to insulate, if not before the build itself.
Heating Systems
In recent years, there have been some leaps and bounds with energy-efficient methods to help both the planet and us feel toasty and warm during the winter months. The aim has been to introduce more carbo-friendly heating systems, which can also include air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, solar water heaters, biomass heating and electric combi-boilers. While, of course, we all know boilers are far from cheap, and if you have cash to splash, then you are really laughing, it might come with weighing the advantages with the disadvantages. For example, these energy-efficient boilers are not cost-efficient so these would be a courtesy to the environment, and unless you are in Scotland, you aren’t reaping some of the tax and interest fee rewards.
If this is an energy-efficient upgrade you are willing to make, then find out more about new boiler insulations and if they are compatible with your style of home. Prices and which would work best for you might come from a quick chat with facilities management hull.
Solar Power
Something that has been polar for many years and as briefly mentioned, yes, you guessed it, solar panels. There are said to be over 1.5 million solar panels across homes in the UK. To be quite honest, after reading energy bills month after month, I have completely forgotten about the eye-sore that solar panels can be and now I am actually jealous of the people who have them.
If you are new to solar energy, these are wide panels that absorb and store solar energy and they are usually placed on compatible houses, flats and any other building that is appropriate. While it’s important to note that they do in fact have a lifespan of up to 25 years plus, and while this is relatively a good amount of time, they can be pretty pricey and average just under £5,000 pounds for six.
That being said, they are a very good investment for multiple reasons. They not only save up to 50% of your monthly electricity bill but they have proven to be a hugely environmentally friendly source of energy so it’s a win-win. While the cost can be enough to put people off with the amount you’d be spending on electricity itself and with energy prices showing very little signs of coming down, no matter what the politicians say, they could be a viable option for those looking for new ways to save money.
Appliances
There are many little things that you can add to your home to give it a full 360 energy upgrade and a chance to save some pennies. This could be anything from LED lightbulbs to refrigerators. There are little changes to make on a cheaper level. Here are some examples.
LED Lightbulbs
LED bulbs are said to use 80% less energy compared to other standard lightbulbs. This way, you are not only spending a fortune on electricity but also on buying new bulbs. Such an affordable swap to make and in these cases, every little helps.
Smart Thermostats
These programmable thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day, so you can set it so that every day the heating starts at 5 a.m. and turns off at 8 a.m. This would be perfect for those who want to wake up to a warm out in the mornings before work. This way, you won’t forget to turn off the heating and use up energy all day for no reason. Not to mention, this smart thermostat can learn behaviours, automatically adjust the temperature and save more time and energy. This is a perfect investment for every household. They are said to save up to 10% of people’s heating costs.
Energy Star Appliances
From dishwashers to refrigerators, they can have a little stick that provides people with peace of mind that they not only meet the strict energy efficiency standards by getting a product that saves them money on their energy bills so another win-win situation. While these can be costly to replace, there are always ways to get a good deal.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to deciding what energy-efficient upgrades to consider, that is all very unique and dependent on the age of your house, the building itself, and your budget. It is a very unique and personal choice for you. Some things, like the boiler, might not be worth it for some people but depending on not only how much you’ve got to splurge but also what falls on your priority list, certain aspects will be more viable compared to others. It’s important to weigh up all of your options for the most environmentally conscious home and lifestyle.
