Enhancing a property's energy efficiency not only saves money on energy bills but also helps reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions, meeting regulations on home energy efficiency, and, considerably improves the value of a property.
Making any property more energy efficient may require investing significant time and resources depending on the state of the property, but there are always improvement solutions that every property owner can recognise.
How To Improve Energy Efficiency
The most common areas to focus on for improving energy efficiency will be in areas connected to the supply of utilities to the property, such as heating instruments like the boiler and radiators, which are powered by either electricity or gas or, a mixture of both.
However, making changes besides those which concern the heating and electrical units at a property, can also help improve energy efficiency, some of which are outlined below.
Double Glazing
One of the most effective ways to enhance a property’s energy efficiency is by preventing the loss of heat through older window frames, like those made with single-pane glass. Windows are easy escape points for heat in most properties, and upgrading to double-glazed windows can drastically reduce the amount of heat escaping through them, helping to lower the energy consumption of a property and improve its energy efficiency.
This not only keeps properties warmer during the colder months but also contributes to lower heating bills, reducing the need to keep the heating on throughout the day or night. While the upfront costs of replacing multiple windows can be substantial, the long-term savings and potential improvements to energy efficiency make it a worthwhile investment for property owners.
Insulation
Loft and wall insulation is another excellent method for reducing heat energy consumption at a property. Insulating a loft traps rising heat and prevents it from escaping, contributing to a warmer home that doesn't require the same amount of heating as a property without loft insulation.
Insulating walls is equally important for improving a property’s energy efficiency. Many homes, especially older ones, can have either very thin walls or walls with a significant gap or cavity. By using cavity insulation to fill these gaps, heat is kept in more effectively, resulting in less energy required to heat rooms at the property and improving energy efficiency.
Replacing The Boiler
An ageing boiler can be a major contributor to poor energy efficiency. Upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient boiler is essential, with combi and electric boilers drawing on less fuel and producing lower emissions to help improve energy efficiency. While the upfront costs can be significant for a brand-new boiler, the investment in long-term energy efficiency will pay back through reduced heating costs at a property, and improved energy efficiency.
For larger homes, a secondary heating source is a viable option to improve energy efficiency. Options such as a wood-burning stove or, an Aga oven, can provide efficient additional sources for heating (and cooking). Secondary heating sources can be especially useful during the warmer months of the year, entirely replacing the need for using the main central heating in some parts of a house.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are often viewed as a significant investment, and they can considerably improve energy efficiency at a property. By harnessing sunlight, solar panels provide clean, renewable electricity for a home, which can be used to provide both heat and hot water if installed with an electric boiler. Solar panels can reduce the reliance on traditional energy sources and dramatically improve energy efficiency at a property.
However, during particularly wet and windy periods, solar panels will produce very little energy for a property and result in the need to rely on traditional sources of electricity and gas to power a property. Even during milder summers, solar panels may still not produce enough electricity to sufficiently power a property. Properties in areas with particularly changeable weather or, lacking sun exposure may not be ideal for solar panels, and owners should think carefully about this before installing them.
Additional Improvements
There are other additional improvements property owners can make to further enhance energy efficiency. Consider upgrading home appliances such as fridges, ovens, and washing machines to more energy-efficient models. Energy-efficient appliances consume less electricity which can significantly improve energy efficiency at a property.
Incorporating smart home technology can also cut down energy usage. Smart thermostats control heating systems more efficiently by adjusting temperatures when you’re not home, keeping a house energy efficient. Additionally, smart lighting systems can help monitor and reduce energy usage by automatically turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, whilst smart plugs limit electricity running through plug sockets to only when an appliance is being used, improving efficiency.
Draught-proofing a home is another effective method for improving energy efficiency. Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and other openings or escape points for heat at a property dramatically reduces energy consumption. Simple materials like weather stripping or draught excluders can make a significant difference, but going further and filling gaps between floorboards and unused vents, such as those found in attics, can greatly improve energy efficiency too.
Making Wise Investments
While the process of improving energy efficiency at a property can involve significant work and upgrades, it’s essential to view these as long-term investments, as most improvements will lead to lower energy bills and increased property value. Complying with legislation and meeting future home energy efficiency targets set out by the government is also something property owners should keep in mind, as penalties for non-compliance may be significant.
From an environmental standpoint, investing in improvements to boost a house’s energy efficiency contributes to fewer emissions every year, and will ensure a property does not have to rely so heavily on higher energy consumption to keep it running. Property owners should realise that this is an investment that benefits them and their property, every bit as much as it does the planet.
