Why bother with energy efficient home improvements?
Many people consider energy efficient home improvements as something nice to have if you’ve got the spare income. But energy efficient measures in the home are an investment. You make the money you spend back many times over by reducing your energy bills for good.
Government funded energy efficient home improvements
Now is the time to get energy efficient home improvements for your property as the government is running the Green Homes Grant. You are entitled to up to £5,000 towards efficient measures (£10,000 for low-income households) and you make up just a third of the cost.
Say the work costs £4,000, the first £2,680 would be covered by the grant and you would only fund the remaining the £1,320. It’s a significant discount and you will see lasting savings.
What measures can be funded with the grant?
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Floor insulation
- Room in roof insulation
- Air source heat pumps
- Solar thermal energy
- Heating controls
- Double glazing
- External doors
Get details on the Green Homes Grant and how to apply
See the savings on the most common energy efficient home improvements:
A new boiler
The Energy Saving Trust estimates the average home saves around £340 a year when changing from an old boiler to an A-rated boiler. A-rated boilers waste less than 10% of energy, compared to 30% wasted by G-rate boilers – a loss of £30 for every £100 energy bill you receive.
Find out more in our blog: Everything you need to know about boiler ratings
Loft insulation
Around 25% of the heat in your home is lost through the roof. Insulating your loft or attic is how to reduce this heat loss and reduce the cost to heat your home. Loft insulation lasts up to 40 years and saves you money every single day.
Windows
Having double glazed windows saves between £100-£120 per year and helps rooms feel warmer and less draughty. Double glazing is something that homeowners and property surveyors look for if your property goes on the market too.
Alternative home heating
Image never paying a gas bill again!
More homeowners in the UK are turning to alternative ways to heat their homes. Switching to green energy such as solar heat panels and air source heat pumps are better for the environment. It means you are no longer at the mercy of energy providers and their prices.
Generating heat from the air and sunlight saves you hundreds of pounds a year. You might choose to move away from gas use completely, or to combine alternative heating methods with your combi boiler and central heating system.
Get more information about alternative home heating here
What’s the best way to create an energy efficient home?
Combining a few different measures to create and conserve heat within the home is the best approach. There isn’t much point spending loads on a replacement heating system if your house is old and draughty. The money may be better spent on insulation in the first instance.
The way to find out is to have a survey carried out by a home heating advisor. The surveyor will look at your home and tell you where it could be more efficient. They will advise you on the home improvements you could claim for as part of the Green Homes Grant.
If you would like to arrange a survey, please get in touch on 0800 980 6018 or by emailing [email protected].
