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How to Beat the Energy Crisis by Making Home More Energy Efficient

How to Beat the Energy Crisis by Making Home More Energy Efficient

April 27
16:57 2022

London, UK – April 27, 2022 – Exactly a month ago, Ofgem announced that the energy price cap would rise by a staggering 56% from April. This meant that the average household energy bill would rise from an eye-watering £1,277 per year to an outright tearful £1,971. And now, thanks to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prices are inevitably going to rise even more when the cap is reset in October. Thanks for that, Vlad.

Consequently, if you want to control your bills over time, and make yourself less vulnerable to the energy crisis, it’s a good idea to make your home more energy-efficient. Although this will mean investing extra money upfront, and it might not be easy to find the dough right away, remember that energy prices are set to remain high for a number of years; therefore you’ll see a return on your investment in the long run. Cunning, eh?

So without further ado, here are our top ten ways to invest in your home and make it more eco-friendly. You’ll eventually save some wonga and save the planet at the same time…

1. Change your boiler

Upgrading your gas boiler is a great way to save money in the long term. You could even consider an electric one. Electric boilers are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint because they lose very little energy when they heat your home. However, make sure that your property’s suitable first. Electric boilers aren’t the most cost-effective option for large homes. Not yet, anyway.

If your home’s on the larger side – lucky you – then it’s worth investigating air source heat pumps. These low-carbon sources of energy are incredibly cheap to run and work well with under-floor heating. What’s more, you’ll be amazed to learn that the cost of air never goes up. Funny that.

2. Swap appliances

Although it’s obviously expensive to change your washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge, freezer, and dishwasher in one go, buying more energy-efficient models over time could save you well over £336 per year. This handy guide from Which? will tell you exactly how much you could save on each appliance.

Always look at an appliance’s energy rating before purchasing. Don’t just go for the cheapest option as it could be a false economy. And don’t forget to choose a great value green tariff at Big Clean Switch.

3. Change to LEDs

How many eco-friendly people does it take to change a light bulb? Just one. And that could easily be you. LEDs are up to 80% more energy-efficient than regular bulbs. They’re also brighter (on average) and last longer, too.

Motion sensors can also make your home more energy-efficient. The lights will automatically turn on when you enter a room and switch off when it’s vacant. Your days of accidentally leaving the kitchen lights on all night will be over.

4. Get rid of drafts

Think of drafts as precious heat slipping through your fingers … or rather through troublesome cracks. So double down on gaps under doors, spaces in walls and floors, and faulty seals asap.

All it takes is some self-adhesive foam strips for windows, brush strips for doors, and silicone-based filler or caulk to seal up floorboards and skirting. This one’s so easy that you can do it yourself. There’s no need for an SOS with this DIY task.

5. Make sure you’re double-glazed

The best way to fix a drafty window is to replace it completely. So if you’re not yet double (or even triple) glazed then it’s time to take the plunge. New windows reduce heat loss; therefore they make it much easier to both heat rooms and keep them warm afterwards.

However, don’t despair if you can’t afford to upgrade right away. Putting a coating on existing glass and improving insulation (see below) in the loft can make a big difference to your home as well.

6. Install more loft insulation

The best way to insulate yourself from the energy crisis is to insulate your home to the max – both in your loft and walls. Did you know that 25% of a home’s heat is lost through its roof?

Heat rises, as physics teachers like to remind us, so make sure your insulation is at least 270mm thick. You might even qualify for a home energy grant if you’re struggling to find the money.

7. Insulated curtains

Your loft isn’t the only thing you can insulate to good effect. ‘Thermal curtains’, for example, employ multiple layers of fabric to create an unventilated air space between the window and your room. This reduces heat loss significantly. They’re also good in summer because they reflect the sun’s heat back outside, so you’ll save money on electric fans and air conditioning.

It’s worth insulating your flooring as well, especially if you have stone, wood or another cold surface underfoot. Insulated floors stop heat from rising up to the top floor. And they help to keep your tootsies toasty, too.

8. Check your thermostat

Most people assume that their thermostat is working. But it’s a good idea to check. A faulty thermostat will keep your boiler working longer, and potentially harder than it needs to. It might be time to upgrade to a new digital thermostat if you’re still relying on an old dial operated one.

9. Save water

Saving precious water is a great way to make your home more sustainable. And it can help to lower your energy bills as well. After all, you won’t have to keep heating more and more water every time the whole family decides to wash their hair.

Although high-pressure showers feel great and seem like a wonderful property perk, they’re not so pleasant for the planet. So install some eco-friendly showerheads that save water instead. You’ll be surprised how good the pressure is.

10. Get a smart meter

It’s official. Smart meters are extremely, well, smart. They make us aware of how much gas and electricity we’re burning at any one time. This changes our behaviour and helps us to manage our consumption.

Smart heating, which we can control from our phones, can make a big difference, too. You can set different temperatures for different areas of your home, so you’re not heating rooms you rarely use. Clever, eh?

Be the Change

So there you have it – our top tens tips to make your home energy-efficient. There’s nothing you can do about the price of wholesale energy at the moment. And there’s little you can do about Ukraine, either – unless you happen to be Vladimir Putin’s conscience. What you can do, however, is live as sustainably as possible. When it comes to the energy crisis, going green is the best way to stay in the black.

About Just Move In

Just Move In are the UK’s home setup and utility management specialists. Achieving a B Corporation status, the company aims to make home moving as simple as possible. The team liaises with estate agents and property developers to ensure the process is as seamless as possible for both buyers and sellers. The business is a Living Wage employer and works in partnership with Worldview International Foundation to plant one mangrove tree for every customer it works with.

For more information on Just Move In, view the website here: https://justmovein.com.

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