Making just a small few changes to your home can make a massive difference to your energy costs. Here are our top energy saving suggestions, to help the environment and put money back into your pocket.
1. Choose Energy Saving Bulbs
Swapping your current lightbulbs for energy saving ones will immediately reduce your energy bill. It takes considerably less electricity to power LED or CFL bulbs than typical, incandescent (non-energy saving) bulbs. The more energy saving lightbulbs your property uses, the greater the saving you will make on your electricity costs.
2. Get Loft Insulation
Loft insulation could save you a considerable amount of money on your energy bill. If you already have loft insulation, could consider upgrading. Going from 100mm to 270mm can make a huge difference to the amount of money that goes out through your roof!
3. Don’t Leave Technology on Standby
Leaving technology on standby means you’ll pay more money on your monthly electricity bill. Laptop and phone chargers still use energy when they are plugged in and switched on, even when they aren’t in use. So, avoid unnecessary bills by turning off your gadgets and electrical equipment when they are not in use.
4. Use the Boiler Sparingly
Save precious cash by setting up a timer on your boiler to avoid using unnecessary energy, particularly during the colder months of the year. In the summer, switch your boiler to manual mode and only use it if you really need to. If your boiler has an ‘Eco’ mode, investigate how it might be able to save you money.
5. Upgrade to Double Glazing
Old fashioned single glazing lets in the cold and lets out the warm. Installing double glazing will help save you money on your energy bills. Some glazing companies can give you an estimated energy cost saving before you commit. Depending on how long you are planning on staying in your home, as well as getting rid of draughts, the energy savings might pay back the cost of your new windows before you move home as well as, of course, being attractive to buyers. Beware of local authority regulations about the sorts of windows you can install in your property before you go ahead though!
6. Install Wall Insulation
Wall insulation helps trap the heat inside your home, meaning you spend less money trying to warm your property. Most homes built in the last two decades already have cavity wall insulation included. There are different ways to insulate cavity and solid walls, so a bit of research on the internet might reveal different ways to help reduce your energy costs.
7. Upgrade Your Appliances
Consider replacing old appliances with newer, economical ones to reduce running costs. Washing machines, fridges and freezers are considerably more economical these days than just a few years ago.
8. Switch Electricity or Gas Supplier
There are no shortage of energy cost comparison websites that will tell you whether you would be better-off switching from your current gas and electricity provider to a new energy supplier. Switching suppliers could save you a significant amount of money every month, with comparison website uSwitch stating that people can save up to £679 annually on their energy bills by switching now. So, no matter how much less energy you are using because of the first few tips, if your gas and electricity is cheaper to begin with, you will have more money in your pocket at the end of the year.
One More Thing…
At MOV8 our expert team are able to give you advice on all property related matters, whenever you need a helping hand. Just call 0131 220 5444 for general property enquiries or if you would like assistance selling or buying property.
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