In times where heating costs are going up, and will continue to do so, it’s a great idea to improve the energy efficiency of your home. There are various ways you can help your home to retain more heat and all of them will allow you to save on heating bills in the long run! So what are some of the best energy efficient upgrades for your home?
Windows
One very effective – and relatively speaking affordable – option is to upgrade your home’s windows. It’s estimated that nearly 30% of your home’s heat is lost through windows alone, meaning that if they aren’t properly insulated, you could be wasting significant energy.
Modern window installations come with a number of features that maximise their energy efficiency which help to keep as much heat inside your home as possible.
- Double and triple glazing with argon gas filled cavities to prevent additional heat loss
- Energy efficient coatings that reflect heat back into your room
- Specially designed frames that use cavity systems to help the window stay better insulated
Doors
Whilst the amount of heat loss through your doors will vary depending on a range of factors, on average it’s been shown that up to 11% of your home’s heat will escape through your doors.
An old door that’s insulation has worn down is likely to create draughts and will easily let in cold air. Upgrading your door allows you to refresh the insulation around it, draught-proof it, and make use of modern materials that are better at preventing heat transfer.
Porches
Porches act as a buffer between the inside and outside of your home, so they’re an important part of your home’s energy efficiency. If your porch is poorly insulated and your porch door lets cold air into your main living spaces easily, you’ll have to use extra energy to keep it warm.
You might need to upgrade your porch’s windows, replace the sealing and insulation, upgrade the doors (both external and internal porch door), or add insulation to walls and floors. If you don’t have a porch, it could be a good idea to add one that’s modern and energy efficient – this will create that additional buffer between the cold air and your living space!
Wall Insulation
One of the most significant factors when it comes to heat loss in your home is the walls. Your walls could account for up to 35% of heat loss! Whilst it’s one of the more expensive ways to insulate your home, it worth considering.
To minimise wall heat loss, it’s important that they’re insulated with high quality materials like fibreglass or polyurethane, and that cracks are sealed with caulking or weatherstripping.
Roof Conversion
Your roof can also lead to heat loss, and an upgrade can help you to keep much more heat within your home. Old glass roofs or roofs with older skylights are likely to be letting out a lot of heat, making your home cooler than it needs to be!
Particularly if you’ve got an extension or conservatory that uses a lot of glass or large skylights that were installed a long time ago, it’s worth having a look into converting to a tiled roof, or mostly tiled roof. This prevents significant heat loss and lets you keep the space a more comfortable temperature all year round, with less energy.
Making your home more energy efficient can be a game changer in times where energy costs are expensive. This year, and likely further down the road, having a well-insulated home will be a necessity to reduce overwhelming heating expenses. If you’d like to know more about home improvements that can keep you insulated and reduce your energy requirements, get in touch with us today.
