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How to save money and raise the value of your home Making your property more energy-efficient can reduce bills, boost your property value and help fight climate change As we spent more time in our homes during lockdown, waiting for traces of normality to reappear, the planet was fi nally given the chance to breathe. Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 dropped by 8.9%, the biggest fall since comparable records began in 1990, while carbon dioxide emissions were cut by almost 20%. It’s too soon to say how Covid restrictions will affect the environment long term, but it does prove that helping the planet starts at home. And the good news is that even after the lockdowns have lifted and we return to our old lives, we can still do our bit to
Something to think about Lighting is one of the biggest energy expenses that households face and replacing halogen lighting with LED lamps can potentially reduce your electricity consumption by 50% to 80% and save you an average of £75 a year on energy bills.
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fight climate change without even needing to step foot outside our front door. In fact, our properties are one of the most powerful tools we have against climate change. And going green isn’t just good for the planet, but your pocket too. Halifax found that the most energy-efficient homes command prices of up to £40,000 more than their less sustainable counterparts, as well as costing less to run on a monthly basis. Despite the ‘green premium’, 77% of people have no clue how energy efficient their homes are but making changes is easier than you think and some simple switches could help save money on energy bills and even boost your home’s market value. Here are some top tips to get you started:
Switch to energy-saving lighting Improving the energy efficiency of your home doesn’t have to cost thousands. Instead, start simple. One of the most straightforward switches that you can make, which could make a huge difference to
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your energy bills, is swapping out all your home’s current light bulbs with more efficient LED bulbs.
Use energyefficient glazing If you want to increase your home’s energy efficiency, installing energy-efficient windows is a must. Without proper glazing, your home loses a quarter of its energy as heat can easily escape from old, draughty windows. Installing modern double glazing can help save over 50% in fuel bills. If your windows are older than 20 years old, it could be time for an upgrade.
Upgrade your heating system The use of oil or gas heating systems and hot water in our homes accounts for around 15% of the UK’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions so buying a newer, energy-efficient boiler is one of the best ways to boost your home’s green premium. A condensing boiler can recover more heat than old models and will give a lasting reduction on your energy bills. Alternatively, you can look into investing in
heat pumps. Unlike gas boilers, heat pumps run off electricity and don’t produce any nasty carbon emissions while operating.
Ray of sunshine Investing in solar energy is one of the best things you can do for your home – and the planet.
As well as cutting down your household bills, solar panels are much greener solutions as the energy is renewable. Just 20 sqm of solar panels on a property’s roof could generate enough electricity for the average household. by Kirsty McKenzie
