Energy-efficient renovation ideas are taking the UK by storm, future-proofing homes, reducing energy consumption and outgoings, and creating comfortable spaces to be enjoyed year-round. But how do you go about renovating your property in an energy-efficient manner?
In this article, we will be sharing our top tips for energy-efficient home renovation that will help you transform your living space for the better.
What is Energy Efficient Home Renovation?
Most people know what home renovation is, but if you don’t it’s the process of making improvements to your property to improve its function and aesthetic.
Energy-efficient renovation means considering and improving the energy efficiency of your property. This means thinking about LED lights, double glazing, insulation, and more. These efficient and sustainable property changes can help future-proof your home and save you money.
According to The Energy Saving Trust, “choosing energy efficient options for your house is a smart move. You’ll benefit from low fuel bills, cut your carbon footprint, and protect your home against new regulations.”
Energy-Efficient Renovation Ideas
When you renovate your home in an energy-efficient manner, you create a space that is both functional and beautiful; a property that will stand the test of time without costing you a fortune.
As UK properties are getting greener, it’s time to consider how you can transform the energy efficiency of your home during the renovation process.
Upgrade Your Home’s Insulation
Insulation is an important part of your property. It forms a barrier between the outside world and your home’s interior, reducing heat loss and maintaining comfortable temperatures all year round.
To improve the energy efficiency of your home, you should consider upgrading the insulation in your property, especially in the roof, walls, and floors. This will reduce draughts, limit noise pollution from outside, and save on your energy expenses.
Fit Window Shutters
Heat loss through inefficient windows is one of the primary causes of rising energy costs in the home. It means you lose hot air during the winter months and therefore turn your radiators up to help compensate. This sees your energy bills skyrocketing and is an inefficient way to run your home.
Professionally fitted window shutters are an excellent solution because they can reduce heat loss by up to 62%. This statistic rises even higher if your property has double or triple-glazed windows. So, it’s certainly an energy-efficient renovation tip worth paying attention to.
Install a Smart Meter
Smart Thermostats are widely used and available. According to Gov.uk, “Smart meters put consumers in control of their energy use, allowing them to adopt energy efficiency measures that can help save money on their energy bills and offset price increases.” Embracing energy-saving technologies like these ensures you save money on your energy bills.
These clever pieces of technology measure your energy consumption by alerting you to changes that could be made around your home. Installing a Smart Meter will help you keep track of your outgoings and make changes that will benefit your wallet.
Integrate Smart Home Technology
Speaking of smart technologies, consider integrating Smart Home Technology into your property. This will enhance both the energy efficiency and security of your home by allowing you to take control of your energy usage remotely.
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Did you forget to turn off the porch light? Do you want the heating to kick in before you get home? Smart Home Technology offers a convenient way to take control of your energy usage and lower your bills at the same time.
Install an Energy Efficient Boiler
Replacing your boiler with an energy efficient model is one of the best home improvements you can make to your property. The boiler is probably the last thing you think about when renovating your home. However, it’s a change that can have the biggest impact.
Investing in an A-rated, efficient boiler will ensure your home stays at a comfortable temperature and your water stays hot at a much lower cost. Modern boiler systems are also more compact, so they can be installed in cupboards where they can work their magic without ruining the aesthetic of your living space.
Top tip: it’s vital to get your boiler serviced regularly to help prolong its life and efficiency. This will ensure your boiler is working as efficiently as possible, saving you money.
Expose the Property’s Original Fabric
Sometimes, energy-saving home improvement ideas can compromise on the aesthetic of a property. That’s why we want to focus on tips that help maintain the original look and feel of your home while optimising its energy efficiency.
In older properties, it can be nice to expose the original fabric of the building. This can be done by uncovering materials such as old timber or steel while updating the interior to meet modern aesthetic standards.
Exposing the original features of a building’s skeleton, such as old timber and steel frames, is a great way to bring an old building into modern-day; renovating it in such a way as to keep the historical elements while ensuring it is properly insulated and double glazed to improve energy efficiency.
Install Energy Efficient LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs are one of the most popular energy-efficient renovation choices. Not only do they look great and transform your living space from ordinary to chic, but they also save you money on your energy bills.
According to The Energy Saving Trust, “Lighting makes up 11% of the average UK household electricity consumption [...] Energy efficient lighting helps lower electricity bills and carbon dioxide emissions, all without reducing the quality of light in our home. If you replace all the bulbs in your home with LED lights, you could reduce your annual carbon dioxide emissions by up to 35kg.”
LED light bulbs use a more sustainable form of power to light your home, compared to halogen bulbs (traditional light bulbs), which are highly inefficient, need replacing often, and rack up your energy bills.
LED light bulbs by contrast use less energy and last for longer. What’s more, you can choose soft or warmer bulbs to achieve a cosier aesthetic.
Opt for Sun Tunnels
Are there rooms in your home that are particularly dark and gloomy? Perhaps they lack natural light or they’re just at the wrong side of the house to fully benefit from that morning sun. Lack of natural light can significantly affect how we feel and the enjoyment we get from being at home.
A great eco-friendly solution is to opt for a sun tunnel. These clever renovations are an excellent alternative to more traditional lighting choices such as light bulbs and lamps. What’s more, they don’t increase your energy bills.
Sun tunnels, otherwise known as light tubes, are essentially long sunroofs that cover the length of a hallway or the section of a roof in a particular room. They are an affordable and long-lasting way to introduce more light into your home. Many people install sun tunnels in hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens, but you can install yours wherever your home needs brightening up.
Final Words
Renovating your property is a fun and exciting time. It’s a chance to put your own stamp on a place and transform your house into a home.
We hope these energy-efficient renovation tips will help you make improvements that do wonders for your energy bills.
Even small changes can make a big difference. So, we encourage you to turn some of these ideas into a reality and transform your living space today.
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