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ToggleDuring winter, energy bills tend to skyrocket. After all, it’s at this time of year that our homes need to be heated. Fewer daylight hours also mean that your lights will tend to be on for longer, too.
If you’re worried about the financial (and environmental) impact of all of this, then you might consider a few energy-saving measures for the season. Checking out IGS solar reviews can help you evaluate whether this option is a good fit for your home and energy needs, making it easier to save both money and resources during the colder months.
Optimise Your Heating System
A boiler is a complex machine. The same goes for the pipes, radiators, and tanks that might make up the rest of your central heating system. Preventative maintenance can help to ensure that these machines work well and that they aren’t at risk of breaking down during winter.
You might improve your heating system by upgrading the boiler or by bringing in an alternative device, like a heat pump. Combi boilers tend to be the gold standard in modern homes. These work by incorporating the boiler and the storage tank into a single unit – which means that you’ll save space, and improve efficiency at the same time.
If you have a combi boiler, then you can tweak the flow temperature for maximum efficiency. According to National Grid, a flow temperature of less than 60°C can confer substantial savings.
Improve Home Insulation
Of course, your attempts at heating efficiency will be undermined if the heat you generate is able to immediately leak through the fabric of the surrounding building. This is where insulation is paramount. Putting insulation into the loft or cavity walls can be hugely effective, particularly if you’re starting from a low base. If you live in a house with suspended timber floors at ground level, then you might be able to easily insulate here, too.
Adopt Energy-Efficient Habits
Your behaviour in the home matters almost as much as the structure of the home itself. You might save up to a hundred pounds every year by simply dialling back the thermostat one degree. Upgrading certain appliances can be very helpful, too. Many appliances will consume energy even when they’re in standby mode – and in some cases, they can consume as much as a modern LED light bulb. If you’re worried about turning out all of the lights, in other words, you’ll want to also turn off your hi-fi equipment.
Utilise Government Support Schemes
The government is keen to incentivise energy-saving measures and behaviours. You’ll often find support for green measures like home insulation. Look for the Green Deal mark when you’re shopping for things like insulation and double glazing. The amount you’re able to claim will depend on the state of your property as it currently is. Do your homework, and make sure that the deal makes financial sense for you.