4 Home Improvements to Reduce Your Energy Use
Reduce your carbon footprint, save money and help the environment – what isn’t there to love? Through certain home improvement projects, you can do all of the above, making your home and household much happier in the process.
Smart manufacturing, new and better materials and the improvement of technology have helped us live more eco-friendly, if we wish to, and reduce our expenditure. While home improvements may have a costly bill to begin with, they are, however, worth it in the end.
If you’re left wondering which home improvement projects that are worth your time and investment, read the following.
1. Insulate your roof
You lose a lot of heat from your roofing, which in the end, can cost you a lot of money you are not getting a return from. There is no point in upping your heating and spending more on your bill if it is being stolen through drafts or lost from your roof.
The best materials for roof insulation are rigid foam boards and spray foam insulation. Usually, roof insulations cost around £300 for the installation.
By insulating your roof properly, the money you save on your energy bill means it will pay for itself over time. While you’re insulating your roof, be sure also to check for any draughts that may need sealing properly.
2. Recycling water
There are many ways you can recycle water, and by doing so, you can save money while also reducing water wastage. The best ways to use recycled water are as follows:
Greywater
Recycled greywater from washing machines and showers can be stored and then used in the garden later on. It could also be diverted to the garden via a plumbed-in diverter.
Rainwater
Install a rainwater tank in your garden and use the collected water for watering your garden.
3. Double glaze your windows
Double glazing is ideal when it comes to insulating your home. Without double glazing, a home can lose up to 50-70% of its heat through single glazed windows; this can significantly impact a home’s ability to heat itself and stay warm.
The benefits of double glazing are lengthy:
- It lowers your energy bills
- Reduces noise
- Increases home value
- Reduces your carbon footprint
When putting in double glazed windows, you should turn towards the professionals so that they can install them properly. If you are also worried about your new windows staying white and being long-lasting, you can invest in uPVC windows, which need the minimum amount of maintenance.
4. Switch to green power
The average household will emit around 14 tonnes of greenhouse gases on an annual basis. This contributes to climate change, which needs to be greatly depleted in the next twelve years, according to scientists.
Switching to green power means investing in solar panels, as well as wind turbines and even water and waste power. Making the move away from coal is in everyone’s best interests.
You can install solar panels on your house’s roof. Solar panels greatly reduce your electricity bills, are low maintenance, are weather dependent and will, over time, return your initial investment.
