Winter is upon us, so just what exactly are you going to do to protect your home, and your wallet? With the last winter causing havoc for Britain’s homeowners, registering as the coldest on record for 31 years, 2010 looks set to present problems. There is no need to worry however, as various things can be done to ensure your house is energy efficient in time.
If you’re on a tight budget, caulking and weather-stripping are easy and inexpensive ways to prevent heat loss. Go round your home and fill any holes around cables linking to the inside from the outside. It’s also advisable to check there are no drafts around the outer edges of doors and windows, and invest in thick curtains to keep the heat in, or alternatively get double glazed windows fitted throughout your home.
Properly insulating your loft saves up to 150 a year in energy bills, say The Energy Saving Trust. This is an excellent excuse to invest in insulation before winter arrives. Though expensive at initial outlay, these costs can be regained through savings to your energy bill, and if you receive benefits you may be entitled to a grant which will cover all costs.
The next step in winterizing your home is to check your heating system is running efficiently. Heating and water account for around 80% of the energy used in a home, so by having it annually serviced by a registered professional, you can ensure it is cost effective. On average a boiler needs to be replaced every 12 years, so if your heating system is old, you might want to consider updating to a more energy efficient model.
Though loft insulation and a new boiler can be extremely costly, they will benefit your home and your finances in the long-term, and you will start to reap the rewards of energy efficiency with your first bill.
The Central Heating Systems is a voluntary standard designed to improve the overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single framework for Plumbing and Heating Services.
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