Sure, we realise that we’re getting rather ahead of ourselves with this one, seeing as we’ve only just turned off the central heating for spring/summer.
But as the old saying goes; ‘’the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining’’, and seeing as it’s such a beautiful day out there today, we’ve decided that now is the time to consider the heating efficiency of our homes.
With gas and electricity bills rising at frightening speed, and people concerned about their energy usage’s impact on the cost of living, many are considering using this time of relatively low domestic energy use to shore up their properties in time for the colder months. If you’re looking to do the same, then here’s how to improve the heating efficiency of your home.
Firstly, Find Out Your Home’s Epc
In terms of your energy usage, knowledge is power. And knowledge about your power? That’s where it’s at.
Did you know that you can get access to your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (its EPC), which provides invaluable insights into just how much it costs you to heat and light the property, as well as the level of CO2 your place emits? Scrutinising this EPC will illuminate any areas where you’re paying over the odds, and as such, wasting energy.
As a useful comparison, you can find yours and also check out the energy input of other properties in the neighbourhood on the government’s dedicated Find an Energy Certificate page.
Ensuring That Your Windows Aren’t Letting Warmth Escape
One of the main ways to improve the heating efficiency of your home is to make sure that your windows are properly insulated. This can be done by installing window film or weather stripping around your windows, helping to keep the heat in your home and prevent it from escaping through gaps in your windows.
Investing in different window treatments or double glazing is worth investigating as the money will be recuperated fairly quickly in energy savings. As stated in a government report on double glazing published in 2016, you could save £150 by replacing your single glazing for double, due to the warmth kept in and energy saved domestically. It should be noted that, soon, triple glazing will be industry standard, and would make an even more worthwhile long-term investment.
Do be aware that it’s possible for homeowners to apply for government grants for windows and doors, and replace your windows and doors for a fraction of the real cost. This will significantly improve your energy efficiency and that’s why the government started this program in the first place.
If you live in an older home with single-paned windows, you can also try hanging heavy curtains over your windows to help keep the heat in. Finally, you should also make sure that you close your blinds or curtains at night to help keep the heat in.
Install Insulation
We lose around 35% of our home’s heat through uninsulated or poorly insulated walls. That’s a huge number by anyone’s standards, and when considering that another chunk is lost through the roof if it’s not properly insulated, it makes sense to install insulation.
This can be done in several different ways, such as installing insulated walls or floors, investing in attic insulation, or adding weatherstripping around doors and windows. Insulation will help to keep the heat in your home and prevent it from escaping. This will make your home more comfortable and help you save money on your heating bills.
Venting your stove is another important step you can take to improve your home’s heating efficiency. By installing a venting system, you can reduce the amount of harmful gases and particles that can build up in your home’s air. As the experts behind this Comfortbilt pellet stove selection note, stoves are designed to harness the power of compressed wood pellets, converting them into a steady, controlled flame for heating.
However, this combustion process produces byproducts, including carbon monoxide, that must be safely expelled from the living space. By properly venting your stove, you can help improve the air quality in your home and increase heating efficiency.
Get A Programmable Thermostat
Another great way to improve your home’s heating efficiency is to get a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat allows you to set it to a lower temperature when you are not home and then raise it shortly before you arrive home. This will help to save energy because your home will not be heated when you are not there.
You can also use a programmable or smart thermostat to schedule different temperatures for different times of the day. For example, you can set it to a lower temperature at night when you are sleeping and then raise the temperature in the morning so that your home is warm when you wake up.
The added upside of this convenience is that you waste very little energy heating or cooling your home when you’re not there. Automated thermostats have been estimated to save hundreds in energy costs alone, so they are an investment well worth it, even before you consider the environmentally positive implications.
Replace Your Boiler
If your boiler is more than 15 years old, then it is time to replace it with a newer and more efficient model. As the guys at Bbright tell us, newer boilers are much more energy-efficient than older models. They also have features that help to improve the heating efficiency of our homes, such as smart thermostats and condensing technology.
Recent research reveals that the cost of fixing your boiler comes in at an average of £245. A new one will set you back around £2500. The average new boiler, if behaving dependably, can go without any need for repairs for about six years, saving you a pretty penny in the process.
Replacing your boiler can be a significant investment, but it will save you money in the long run on your heating bills. You may also be eligible for government rebates or tax credits when replacing your old boiler with a new one.