7 Home Improvement Ideas To Save On Your Energy Bills
This post may contain Affiliate Links
This is a sponsored post
With the recent hike in energy prices, we are all looking for ways we can make our homes more energy efficient. From budget DIY hacks to long-term investments, this post takes a look at all the ways you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and in turn, save money on your energy bills.
This winter is looking like it’s going to be especially tough. Between the rise in energy costs and inflation making pretty much everything else more expensive too, embarking on some home improvement projects may well be the last thing on your mind.
However, some home improvements could help bring about significant savings on your energy bills so might be worth investing further.
1. Add Extra Insulation To Your Home
Keeping the heat inside your home is key to making it more energy efficient, and one of the easiest ways to do this is by adding more insulation.
When it comes to insulating your home, the easiest place to start is the loft as this will help to prevent heat from escaping through the roof.
Rolls of loft insulation can be purchased for around £25 each meaning this is a relatively budget-friendly option that should save you money for years to come once it’s been completed.
Even better, if there are no issues with dampness and your loft has easy access, then it’s a job you should be able to complete yourself.
2. Make Some DIY Draught Excluders
The worst culprits for draughts are usually windows, doors, and open chimneys which are no longer being used. The amount of cold air they let in and warm air they let out can have a significant impact on how energy efficient your home is during the winter months.
If you have a very old home, it might be worth paying a professional to come in and draught-proof your whole house.
On the other hand, if you only have a few draughts here and there, you could make some DIY draught excluders to help keep in the warm air.
It’s a cheap and easy way to save on your energy bills and make your home a little bit warmer when the weather gets chilly.
See this article for full instructions on how to make a draught excluder.
3. Invest In Double Glazing
Double glazed uPVC windows are a big investment, but one that will save you hundreds on your energy bills in the long run, especially if you only currently have single glazing. Adding double glazing to your home can also increase its value in addition to making it more energy efficient.
If you’re unsure where to start with double glazing (there are a lot of different options out there!) you could try a trusted local home improvement showroom where they will be happy to advise you on what works best for both your home and your budget.
4. Change Your Lighting
While there is a small initial cost of switching all of your bulbs over to LEDs it is something that could save you some serious cash when it comes to your energy bills.
If budget is a constraint, one option could be to change a few bulbs each month to help spread the cost until your whole home is switched over to LEDs.
According to Which?, this simple switch could save you as much as £220 on your energy bills and is a great way to make your home more energy efficient.
5. Install A More Energy Efficient Boiler
Installing a more energy-efficient boiler is one way to ensure your energy bills are as low as they can possibly be.
A more modern boiler can come with added benefits such as being controlled remotely. This means you can pop the heating on as you travel home from work, or leave it off for longer if you plan to be out and about in the evening.
If you’re worried about the cost of having a new boiler installed, there are grants available for those on low incomes, you can find out more at Gov.uk.
6. Think About Your Home Layout
Here in the South West home improvements can range from the simple, such as adding new flooring, to the more complex, such as adding a two-story extension to make the most of the views of the surrounding countryside.
When embarking on major home improvements, you may want to give consideration to the layout you are creating within your home.
While open plan living is extremely popular, it’s not particularly energy efficient and houses that are mostly open plan may see higher energy bills, especially when adding in modern features such as underfloor heating.
Counter this by making sure there are small spaces in your home too, such as a cozy living room or snug that can easily be kept warm if temperatures plummet.
7. Opt For Energy Efficient Home Furnishings
No home improvements are complete without investing in some new home furnishings.
Why not opt for plenty of cozy blankets and thick, lined curtains to help keep the heat in?
If you work from home you might want to invest in a heated throw to keep you warm – these cost much less to run per hour than having the heating on all day.
One final thing to think about when it comes to home furnishings is their placement.
For example, a sofa placed right in front of a radiator is definitely something to be avoided if you want more energy efficiency in your home.
I really hope these ideas will encourage you to find ways to improve energy efficiency in your home and save money on your energy bills at the same time.
Some great ideas for helping keep the energy bills down. We replaced our conservatory this year, and it has made a huge difference with keeping the house warmer already
These are some great ways to help save on energy bills, something that we are all trying to cope with. Double glazing really does make a difference, we have one old window that is not double glazed in our house and you can tell the difference between that one and the others.
These are some great ideas as we are all struggling with energy bills at the moment. I have started to turn the thermostat down by a couple of degrees and invested in some pretty throws in my lounge.A simple thing as adding draft excluding tape around doors where there are gaps is s great idea and inexpensive too. You have shared some excellent tips.