Small Changes for Big Energy Efficiency Increases at Home

Looking for energy efficiency increases that can save you some money this winter and beyond? There are many small changes you can make, and a couple of bigger ones, to reduce how much you use and, ultimately, how much you pay! For the most part, all you need is common sense, but it also helps to learn to use appliances correctly. Here are some suggestions.

Door and Window Replacement

Okay, so this isn’t a small change, and it will even cost money.However we’ll get it out of the way. Replacing your doors and windows is included here because replacements made with modern materials from fitters such as UK Composite Doors will increase energy efficiency and save a bundle over time. Older doors and windows become damaged around seals and materials wear away so cold air and draughts to seep into your home and increase bills.

Using the Thermostat Properly

Thermostats are helpful in controlling the heating in the home. But they are also more versatile than you think. Most people just use them to switch heating on and off. But you can save money when you use the thermostat correctly. All brands are different, but you can try the following:

Set the temperature to between 18°C and 22°C and switch off at night.
Program the thermostat to be on when you are home and off when out.
Check that the sensor is free from blockages, has batteries, and is set to the right time.

The features of your thermostat will vary depending on the brand and model. Newer boilers come with excellent features, including smart devices. Either way, using your thermostat’s features ensures you have total control over your home’s heating and ultimately, the bills.

Energy Efficiency Increases with Lighting

If you Google about saving energy, one of the first things you will see is using efficient lighting. There are excellent reasons for this. For example, LEDs use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs. This might not seem much because it is only lighting, after all. However, combined with other energy-saving methods in the home, efficient lighting makes a significant contribution. You can also use some LED lighting brands with smart apps for greater control.

Reduce the Effects of Vampirism!

You may not know there are vampires in your home! Now, before you go reaching for the garlic, not those kinds of vampires. We’re talking about energy vampires. There are some appliances that actually use a lot of energy even when they aren’t in use. A perfect example is Blu-Ray players on standby. Some mobile phone chargers also continue to use power with no phone attached! Remove unused chargers and switch off electronics rather than using standby mode.

Replace Older Appliances

We all need certain appliances. The washing machine, the fridge and even TVs are prime examples. Older appliances use a lot more energy than modern ones. Of course, some of these are pretty expensive. However, appliances with a better energy rating pay for themselves by saving a lot more money based on much lower energy usage. Replacing old appliances is an excellent idea if you use certain ones a lot, such as the washer/dryer for your family.

Smart Tech for Energy Efficiency Increases

Smart technology is among the most requested features when new buyers are looking for a home. The reason is that people are beginning to see the value in smart devices. Depending on what you need, they can be instrumental. Here are some reasons to consider smart tech:

You can monitor real-time energy and identify what is used the most and when.
Smart tech is excellent for automation and can adjust settings on the fly.
The remote aspect of smart devices allows you to control them from anywhere.
Using timers, you can set when certain appliances are used, such as off-peak washing.
Individual devices such as smart plugs will switch off when not in use.

Smart technology has the potential to save a lot of money based on even its most basic features. Additionally, the cost of installation is very affordable these days, and most apps work with your smartphone. Smart tech makes a lot of sense when you want to control energy use.

Take Shorter Showers Each Morning

There are many things we depend on each day. One of the most crucial is the shower. A shower alone saves money because it uses much less water than a bath. However, showers use either a gas boiler or an electrical pump to heat the water. So you can use quite a bit each morning. It is recommended that you reduce your shower time to around five minutes, which is plenty of time for most people. Additionally, you can turn down the temperature a little to save more.

Use Only the Water You Need

Reducing shower time helps you use only what you need. But the same goes for anything else. So many times, we use more water than we should. For example, filling up the kitchen sink, topping up the kettle, or even watering the plants. You don’t need a full kettle for one cup of tea. This uses far more gas or electricity than is required. For anything else, work out what you need and fill a container to only that level. It is surprising how much water you can save this way.

Cooking Energy Efficiency Increases

You can also use a lot of water when cooking, and you might be wasting it there, too. Water is an essential ingredient in stews, soups, braises and, of course, pasta. But heating water takes a lot of energy. To save power, boil the water in an electric kettle first to reduce the heating time on the hob. You can also use appliances other than the hob or over. We all know and love the microwave. However, an air fryer also uses 50% less energy than a conventional oven does.

Washing and Drying Effectively

Two of the most power-hungry appliances are the washing machine and dryer. But you don’t have to just accept higher bills to stay clean. You may not know that almost all brands offer eco modes that save up to 80% on the energy used. Here are some tips for saving even more:

Switch to low-temperature washing products to set your washer to a lower temp.
Wash and dry your clothes at off-peak times when it will cost you less money.
Load your washing machine and dryer correctly according to manufacturer instructions.

Many brands are getting on board with saving energy these days. You can buy excellent washing machine products that offer the same cleaning power at 20°C. Washing at a high temperature should be reserved for stubborn stains or emergencies such as spilled wine!

Keep Out the Draughts

There are many small gaps around the house that allow cold air to come in and hot air to escape. Draughts can lower your home’s temperature substantially. You can check where air is coming in by using a candle. Carefully watch for when the flame flickers, as this is an indication of air blowing. Then, it’s a case of using weather strips, silicone filler, and draught excluders under doors to prevent cold air from coming in, which makes a big difference to a room’s heat.

Summary

Replacing the doors and windows can help make big energy efficiency increases around the home. Smart technology also offers advantages such as controlling appliances remotely. Simple draught exclusion is a tiny but powerful way to improve the heating efficiency in your home.

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