If you’re on a mission to keep your energy bills as low as possible and minimise your carbon footprint, reducing the amount of heat that’s being lost from your home can make a significant impact.
Wall insulation
Around one third of all heat that’s lost from uninsulated properties is through walls. If your property was built in the 1990s or later, it will generally already have wall insulation, but if you live in an older property, it’s worth exploring whether your home is suitable for cavity or solid wall insulation.
Floor insulation
According to the Energy Saving Trust, installing floor insulation on the ground floor of your property could help you to save around £70 per year on your energy bills.
Loft and roof insulation
Around a quarter of heat lost from UK homes occurs through the roof, so installing loft or roof insulation can make a huge difference to your energy bills. Loft insulation has a long lifespan and will keep your home warmer for up to 40 years.
Radiator, pipe and tank insulation
Insulating your water tank, radiators and pipes is a simple way to save money on your energy bills. Radiator reflector panels can be installed behind radiators, where they will work to reflect heat back into your home.
A jacket for your hot water cylinder can be purchased from a range of retailers and is a cost-effective way to help it to retain heat. Look for a jacket that is 80mm thick at least, for optimal heat retention.
It can also be beneficial to install copper pipe connectors, such as //watkinspowis.co.uk/products/copper-pipe-fittings-and-press-systems/, because they are renowned for their ability to successfully retain heat. Pipe insulation is also available to maintain the integrity of your pipework.
Draught-proofing
Many areas of our homes can be draught-proofed, which can be completed on a budget. While it is vital to avoid blocking up controlled ventilation systems which minimise damp and condensation, blocking areas around your windows and doors that are letting in unwanted draughts can help you save up to £40 each year on your energy bills.
Thermostats, conservatories and other quick savings
Insulation does the heavy lifting, but a few smaller changes help the heat you keep go further. Turning the thermostat down by just one degree is barely noticeable in comfort and can make a real difference to the annual bill. Radiators with their own valves can be turned down in rooms you rarely use, and a smart thermostat lets you switch the heating on or off when you are away from home. Having the boiler serviced regularly by a qualified engineer keeps it running efficiently.
Rooms that sit outside the main living space are easy to overlook. A conservatory can lose a large share of a property’s heat, and solar inserts fitted into the roof sheets or panels help keep it warmer. They can be retrofitted yourself or installed professionally.
When you tackle draughts, work through the whole house: windows and doors, the fireplace and chimney, gaps around skirting boards and floorboards, and the loft hatch. Most of these jobs are simple, and you feel the difference straight away.