How to make your home more energy efficient

Energy bills have been rising research indicates that customers on even the cheapest deals have seen a doubling in their annual bill over the past 7 years. The average dual fuel bill in the UK is currently sits £1200 per household. To spend less on energy bills try following these simple steps maybe to save money in the long term.

1. Modernise - If your main source of heating is a gas boiler, how old is it? New boilers are far more efficient at heating and will pay for itself fast. Do you have thermostatic valves on all the radiators? By controlling the heat in each room you can add to your savings. How do you light your home? If you are still using incandescent light bulbs,try modern LED lights which use a minimal amount of electricity, up to 80% less. Lighting controls allow you to better manage when your lights come on and off.

2. Insulate More - If you have a super insulated house it will cost a fraction to heat it. The fact is that the UK spends far too much on heating buildings that are poorly insulated. Start at the top of your house (where the heat rises and escapes). Do you have loft insulation installed? Is it the right thickness? Loft insulation is a quick and cheap way to save on your heating bills. If you have a flat roofed property these too can be insulated to help save you money.  Check if your property has cavity walls, by insulating them you can save money and increase the internal ambient temperature of your home.  Do you have double glazing and draught proofing? Properly insulated doors and windows are a good way to gain savings on your heating bills. 

3. Generate Your Own Power - If you can generate your own energy you won’t have to buy energy off generate the power companies.  There are many ways to make electricity. You could install a ground source heat pump or an air source heat pump to generate power in your own home. Both systems take either the ambient air or ground temperature and increase it, much like the way a fridge works but in reverse, instead of making things cooler they make them warmer. If you have the space and money you could also consider solar power which can both heat and light your home. Even micro wind turbines will help to save.

4. Shop Around - Switching energy supplier is the quickest and most cost effective way of saving money. If you haven’t switched supplier in the past 18 months then there is most probably a better deal to be had. ‘Switching’ has become a massive market in its own right and there are a multitude of websites to help you switch.

5.  Use Less - This is obvious but if you use less gas and electricity then you will spend less on the bill each month.  One way to do this is to know how much you are using by having a smart meter which displays the rate of consumption for the gas and electricity that you are using. By closely monitoring which appliances use the most energy you will be able to see where your energy goes.

Extending your home

Increasing numbers of homeowners are deciding to improve rather than move home, according to new research from RICS.
 
Overall, 48 per cent of estate agents revealed the slow sales market is prompting people to improve their properties rather than move. Across the UK, this was most prevalent in areas where the property market is more depressed, such as the West Midlands, where 71 per cent are improving rather than moving.
 
Plans People can produce exciting and inspiring designs that will add value to your property. We design to your brief, translating your needs into a finished design that is both affordable and practical. Without the correct paperwork you will have problems when you sell your property and substandard workmanship will soon be spotted. It is therefore essential that you have professional help when you do work to your home.
 
Our services include Architecture, Interior Design, Planning Permission, Building Regulations Approval and Project Management. We will undertake whole house refurbishments, extensions and loft conversions as well as converting properties into flats or visa versa. Our experience of both commercial and residential work allows us to approach mixed use developments with greater understanding.
 
An initial consultation with us is free so please call us on 01527 452593 or e-mail info@planspeople.info and arrange a convenient time for us to visit.