Your eco options
Make your home smart
This is fairly simple and easy to do. Installing a smart thermostat and smart meter enables you to see precisely how much energy you’re using, and then control it using your smartphone or tablet, wherever you are. Smart plugs and lightbulbs could also make a big difference, meaning appliances aren’t left on when they don’t need to be. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that you could save around £75 a year by turning your appliances off standby mode and the lights off when you leave a room (as at March 2022).
Reclaim and reuse building materials
Using reclaimed materials for your home improvements may cut costs and make your renovations that little bit more sustainable. From bricks and tiles to wooden doors and metal fixtures and fittings, recycled materials can typically be found from reclamation and salvage yards, or even demolition companies. It’s a good idea to call ahead first though.
The insulation gain
A whopping 40 per cent of a home’s heat loss is down to a lack of insulation (BuildIt, 2022). So, before you make the switch to renewables, make sure your heating – and therefore your money – isn’t going out the window, or in this case the walls. You can use a wide range of natural and recycled materials to insulate your loft or cavity walls, from sheep’s wool to thermal lining for solid walls. You should speak to a professional to discuss your options. This could also contribute to a better energy efficiency (EPC) rating, and in turn could increase your property’s value.
Should I consider solar?
Installing solar panels could reduce your electricity costs, anywhere between £165 and £405 per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. But they can be used to produce hot water as well as generate electricity, potentially saving you even more. You could even be eligible to receive payments for the extra energy you generate through the Smart Export Guarantee. What’s more, you won’t have to rely on sunshine for your panels to generate electricity, they just need to be attached to a roof or wall facing south.
What about a heat pump?
Heat pumps capture heat from outside and move or pump it into your home. Heat pumps use less electricity and gas than traditional methods and during the summer can be reversed to act like an air conditioner. The initial upfront cost can be pretty big and installation can be time consuming. But once up and running, it can be a good low-carbon, low-cost solution.
Funding that upfront cost
Energy efficiency measures could make a difference to the cost of living, shaving an average £1,000 a year off energy bills for British households, according to the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). But it could involve expensive changes to your home and you may need some support meeting the upfront cost.
