Whether it’s powering appliances throughout the year or getting a little extra warmth in the winter, the cost of energy can soon stack up for homes owners across the UK. Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with sky-high bills. There are several ways to reduce the cost by improving your home’s energy efficiency.

Read on for five ways to make your home more energy efficient in winter and beyond…

1. Appliances

First on the list are the appliances you use. In the UK, all appliances are rated for energy efficiency based on how much energy they use to do their job. The biggest one to consider is your boiler as this is responsible for heating your home. However, there are several others to look at:

• Oven and hobs
• Microwave
• Fridge and freezers
• Dishwashers
• Washing machines
• Dryers
• Air conditioners

Essentially, anything that uses energy should be checked. If it’s got a low rating of D or below, it might be worth replacing it with a more energy efficient alternative.

2. Insulation

Looking specifically at heating, another way to make your home more energy efficient is by keeping heat inside your home. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home and a third is lost through the walls.

By having your loft, cavity walls or solid walls insulated, you will make it harder for heat to escape your home. That means you won’t need to put the heating on as high or as frequently to achieve a comfortable temperature.

3. Draught-proofing

In addition to your walls and roof, doors and windows are another area where heat can escape. The solution is draught-proofing.

This can be done on a budget using draught-proofing strips around windows and doors. Alternatively, you can invest in new, energy-efficient windows and doors which will be more effective and last longer.

4. Energy source

Another way to make your home more energy efficient across the board is by considering the source of your energy. Not all energy you use has to come from costly fossil fuels. Instead, why not generate your own energy?

By installing solar panels on your property, you can generate your own electricity to reduce the amount your home needs from the grid. Alternatively – or in addition – an air source heat pump can be used to heat your home or generate hot water.

5. Energy use

If you’ve ticked every other box and want to save more, or you just want to make some small changes without having to make an investment, you can always consider how you’re actually using energy.

The easiest way to make your home more energy efficient is by becoming more energy efficient yourself. Here are a few tips from Ovo Energy:

• Turn off all appliances and lights that aren’t being used
• Have showers instead of baths – and keep them short
• Don’t overfill the kettle
• Dry clothes on the washing line where possible
• Make sure dishwashers or washing machines are full before using them
• Turn the heating down by a degree or two – you can go as low as 16-18 degrees to maintain a comfortable temperature

Make your home more energy efficient

If you want to make your home more energy efficient in the UK, NBEC is on hand to help. We install renewable energy technology throughout South Yorkshire. With solar panels and air source heat pumps, we can reduce the amount of energy you need from the grid to improve your home’s energy efficiency overall.