Top ways to make your home eco-friendlier this summer
With energy bills reaching record heights from 1 April for approximately 22 million UK customers, those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £693. It is therefore understandable that customers want to lower payments as much as possible. One way of doing this is to try and make properties more economical this summer and experts at home improvement company, Stormclad suggest that with just a few changes here and there, homeowners and billpayers can quickly be on their way to a greener and cheaper living.
Windows
John Evans, managing director at Stormclad says, “Over 80% of homes in England have double glazed windows, and for good reason – investing in double glazing windows can save the bill payer up to £110, so if homeowners have yet to make the move towards upgrading their windows, now is definitely the time.”
When it comes to selecting windows, Stormclad suggests homeowners consider not only the material but the design aesthetic that they would like too – whilst the priority may be to save energy in the summer, some designs will suit some properties more than others, so for the sake of property value it is worth thinking about.
For more modern properties, aluminium would be the appropriate choice as it is used commonly in commercial construction. This could however look out of sorts on a more traditional property; timber fittings on the other hand may look more in line with a property’s character or period.
Doors
Another way you could economically change your home is by replacing the doors. Not only will they help further reduce your energy bills, but they will also give your home a fresh look and increase its saleability.
Thermally efficient high-quality doors that have been specifically designed to help reduce your energy consumption will help keep your home’s temperature stable throughout the year. Different materials should be considered as each offer their own unique attributes. For instance:
- uPVC doors – cost-effective, low-maintenance, durable and weather-resistant
- Aluminium doors – unique slimline frames, low-maintenance, thermally broken efficient frames and strongest construction material
- Composite – low-maintenance, versatile modern and traditional styles, weather-resistant and energy-efficient
- Timber – heritage designs and styles, naturally insulating, sustainably sourced, durable and long-lasting
Conservatories
If this summer you don’t plan on venturing too far and want to instead enjoy the sun and relax from within your own home, you could always opt to do something a little bigger and invest in a conservatory.
In the short term this may seem like a large investment, especially if you are wanting to save some pennies on energy bills, but according to Roofing Megastore’s Garden Trends Report 2022, a conservatory could increase your property’s value by £8,500ii; and most importantly, for those conservatories that use SmartGlass technology, resulting in quality insulation, optimal room temperatures can be maintained all year round keeping bills to a minimum and increasing the overall energy efficiency of your home.
Over the past couple of years, particularly due to Covid, staying in the house has become the norm, so the introduction of more space into a home could for many be a welcome prospect. Conservatories also allow somewhere for, when the British summer fails to deliver, to relax and unwind in comfort.
Roofline replacement
Roofline replacement is another aspect that can be maintained to not only enhance your home’s appearance but also its thermal performance – keeping the roofline of your home clean and tidy and fixing any existing rotting material will result in less heat being lost from your property.
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