We are all feeling the pinch at the moment when it comes to energy bills. When you think about it though, the energy we use is surprisingly cheap, it is the shareholder demands that force us to pay a premium for every unit we use. If the electricity is produced by coal, someone has to mine, grade, and transport it to the power station to begin with, which is no mean feat. That thought doesn’t help us when our bills come through the letterbox, and we stare in disbelief at what the suppliers charge us.
The only answer is to use less energy. It is good for our pocket and good for the planet, but how can we do it? Here are some tips and tricks to cut your energy usage by up to half. The ideas are mostly common sense, which seems to be lacking in many people. Read on and start saving money today.
Roof Insulation
If you have some money put aside, invest it in loft insulation. There is no better way to keep valuable heat in your home where you need it. Roof structures vary so you may need to employ different methods of insulation for each one.
Thatched roofs have excellent insulating properties. You can still add more by putting insulation between the joists. The rolls are inexpensive considering the job they do, and they are easy to put down.
The team at American Restorators suggests you should consider metal roofing for your home as a replacement for a felt roof. The sheets are double skinned with insulation sandwiched between them, and thermal panels will fit between the rafters to improve the efficiency further.
Change Your Habits
When you have taken care of the roof, look at your own behaviour. Here are a few bad habits you may like to address.
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Only fill the kettle with just enough water for your needs. Boiling a full kettle unnecessarily is like pouring money down the drain.
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Reduce the depth of your bathwater by an inch. You may not notice the difference, but it takes a lot of energy to heat that inch of water.
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Turn lights off. Obvious isn’t it? Train your family to turn off lights when they are not in the room. The savings add up every day.
Use Energy Efficient Lights And Appliances
Swap your light bulbs for low voltage, highly efficient LED alternatives. They cost a little more than incandescent bulbs but last up to twenty times as long. They give instant light, unlike other energy savers, and run cool, so they do not waste energy in the form of heat.
Replace your washing machine, dishwasher, and central heating boiler with efficient models. It may be expensive at first, but they pay for themselves in the end.
Double Glazing
Install modern double glazing to stop heat escaping through the glass and cold draughts blowing in. The new units will serve you for many decades so you can justify the initial outlay. Think about your window dressings too. Heavy drapes will help to keep the cold out on a cold winter’s night better than window blinds.
As I said, a lot of this is common sense, but how many of these things have you addressed in your own home? Start work before next winter arrives and reap the rewards early.
