How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

January 2, 2024

Want to save money on your utility bills without needing to compromise on comfort? Looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home and ease your impact on the planet?

Keep reading to discover Cobb Farr’s guide to making your home more energy efficient.

We share twenty-four financially astute tips and tricks that are sure to make your household budget go further, whether you live in Bath, Bradford on Avon, Somerset, Wiltshire or elsewhere in the UK.

Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs
Use your household appliances more efficiently
Just turn it off!
Draught Proof your home
Get insulated
Run large appliances at night
Adjust your thermostat
Use your washing line
Replace your windows
Upgrade your heating
Wrap your water tank
Swap your bath for a shower
Spend less time in the shower
Move your furniture away from radiators
Wash your clothes at a lower temperature
Close the curtains at night
Defrost your freezer
Bleed your radiators
Fit radiator reflector panels
Use ‘eco-balls’ in your tumble dryer
Use a chimney balloon or sheep
Buy an air fryer or slow cooker
Consider investing in solar panels
Make the most of natural light

1. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs

By far, the easiest way to make your home energy efficient is by replacing any traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL light bulbs. These use less energy, last for much longer and help you save on your household bills.

2. Use your household appliances more efficiently

Whenever you need to run the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer, make sure it’s completely full before hitting that ‘on’ button. You’ll reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing on those home conveniences.

3. Just turn it off!

It may seem obvious, but turning off your electrical appliances when you’re not using them can make a significant difference to your energy bill. Make sure you turn your lights off when you leave a room, avoid leaving equipment on standby mode and consider using a smart plug or programmable timer to cut your energy use by up to 90%.

4. Draught Proof your home

Block up any unwanted gaps around your windows and doors with draught-proofing strips, sealant, old-fashioned draught excluders, or other specially designed insulation products to reduce heat loss and prevent the cold air from entering your home.

5. Get insulated

One of the best ways to prevent heat loss and keep your energy bills low is to install insulation in your home. Consider getting cavity wall, loft, roof or floor insulation to keep your family warm and check whether you are eligible for support from the government under the new Energy Company Obligation + (ECO+) scheme.

6. Run large appliances at night

Many energy tariffs offer lower rates when you use energy at certain times per day, usually during the evening or weekend. Maximise your budget by running your washer, dryer, dishwasher or other large appliances at these times when the energy is cheaper.

7. Adjust your thermostat

Did you know that reducing your thermostat by just one degree could cut your heating bill by 10%? According to The Energy Trust, this could save you around £145 every year. Take it one step further by investing in a smart thermostat and it will become even easier to improve your home’s energy efficiency.

8. Use your washing line

If the weather is nice outside and you have the space, use your washing line instead of your dryer. Your clothes will smell naturally fresh and you won’t have to spend a penny to dry them.

9. Replace your windows

Do you still live in a home with single glazing? Consider upgrading to double-glazing. You’ll better insulate your home, reduce heat loss, and help you save an average of between £30 to £120 per year if you decide to go ahead.

10. Upgrade your heating

Modern central heating systems are far more energy efficient than your older model, especially if you switch to an eco-friendly type such as an air source heat pump. You’ll avoid using fossil fuels, you can also use them to keep you cool during hotter summer months and you’ll reduce your gas or electricity bill and ease your impact on the planet.

11. Wrap your water tank

If you have a storage heater, wrap it in a blanket or other insulation to trap the heat, prevent heat loss and slash your energy bills.

12. Swap your bath for a shower

Even if you prefer a long hot soak, consider swapping one bath per week for a shower. This easy swap alone can help you save around £14 per year on energy bills.

13. Spend less time in the shower

Although showers are better for the planet than baths, they can use an astonishing sixty litres of water in just five minutes. Reduce it by just one minute and you could save £65 per year. https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy/

14. Move your furniture away from radiators

Do you have any big items of furniture right in front of your radiators? This could prevent the warm air from circulating properly and cause you to use more energy than you need. Move your sofa or bed away from the radiator and you’ll feel much warmer.

15. Wash your clothes at a lower temperature

Instead of washing your clothes at the usual temperature (40-60°C), why not use your machine’s eco mode or choose a 30°C wash instead? The lower the temperature, the more energy you’ll save.

16. Close the curtains at night

As soon as the sun goes down, close your windows or blinds to help prevent heat loss and keep you feeling cosy without spending big on your energy bills.

17. Defrost your freezer

If you don’t have a frost-free freezer, when ice builds up you’ll use more energy than you need to. Make sure you defrost them at least once per year (more if they’re prone to ice build-up) so that they will work more efficiently and save you money.

18. Bleed your radiators

If your radiators aren’t heating your room properly or feel cold at the top or bottom, they could have pockets of air inside that will prevent them from working as they should. The good news is that it’s easy to fix. Simply bleed your radiators by following these steps.

19. Fit radiator reflector panels

Boost the energy efficiency of your radiators even more by fitting reflective panels behind them to reflect more heat back into the room and make it much cosier. They don’t cost much, they’re easy to install and you’ll be surprised how much you save.

20. Use ‘eco-balls’ in your tumble dryer

When you’re drying your clothes in the tumble dryer, throw a few eco-balls inside and notice how much money you save. These balls are inexpensive and help warm air to circulate while keeping everything separated.

21. Use a chimney balloon or sheep

Do you own an older home with a chimney? Do you often feel draughts coming in? If so, consider getting a chimney balloon or chimney sheep. This is an easy DIY energy-saving trick that helps trap the warm air inside your home and get rid of that cold air.

22. Buy an air fryer or slow cooker

Switch to a kitchen appliance like an air fryer, slow cooker or microwave to cook your meals and you will enjoy delicious foods while using significantly less power than using a conventional oven.

23. Consider investing in solar panels

Solar panels are much more affordable than before and can allow you to generate your own renewable energy. You may also be able to sell the energy you generate back to the grid and make money while also adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.

24. Make the most of natural light

Instead of switching on the electric lights and pushing up your energy bills, open up your curtain and use the natural light instead.

You can also position mirrors to maximise the light entering your home, keep your light fixtures and fittings clean and even consider installing skylights throughout your house.

Summary

With these twenty-four simple yet effective tips, you can make your home more energy efficient, save money on your utility bills and protect the planet at the same time.

From turning off lights when you leave the room to investing in solar panels, cavity wall insulation or heat pumps, every one of us can do something to reduce our impact on the world’s resources.