This is especially important when you look at the new average annual bill for a typical dual-fuel household, which has increased to a staggering percentage in the U.S. and the UK. Budget-focused improvements can give you a better home life, as you can stop stressing about high energy bill costs and focus more on enjoying the family house.
The home improvements you can make to help cut down utility costs ranges from using more smart technology around the home to upgrading your wall insulation. These and everything in between can help you create a home that is more cost-effective and release you from the stress of paying large sums of money every month just to live a normal life.
This guide will help you understand the best home improvements you can make that will reduce your energy bills and make your home more enjoyable to live in. Continue reading to find out more and gain inspiration for good interior design.
LED Lighting
Lighting can make a huge difference to your electricity bills with there being specific lightbulbs that use up less energy than others. LED lighting is significantly more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, as they use about 75% less energy to produce the same amount of light.
This will take a big chunk out of your bills when used, giving you more money to add to save for your budget. On average, you’ll save around $50-$70 (£40 – £50 in the UK) on your electricity bills when using LED bulbs.
Floor or table lamps that use LED lighting can help you avoid using the main lights in the room and they can come in many styles depending on your taste. This makes them more effective and efficient than turning on ceiling lights.
Smart Technology
There’s now more technology than ever that we can integrate into our home design that will not only improve your experience, but also reduce your energy consumption. Devices like smart thermostats can learn your daily routines, sense occupancy and even integrate with local weather forecasts to pre-heat or pre-cool your home more efficiently, avoiding wasted energy when you’re away or asleep.
Smart plugs have also become a very popular choice for home owners, as they can eliminate phantom load from standby appliances and provide real-time energy monitoring, empowering users to identify and manage power-hungry devices.
C.H.R.I.S System
One type of technology that is growing in popularity is the C.H.R.I.S system that can be installed in sunrooms and onto conservatories to make them more energy efficient.
The true aluminium foil keeps your sunroom/conservatory cool by reflecting 95% of sunlight, while the thermowadding membrane creates an air pocket to slow down heat gain/loss. The vapour control membrane prevents dampness and condensation from farming in the cavity.
This system gives you better temperature control, which can help you better manage how much you’re spending on gas and electricity to heat up or cool down your home. Sunrooms and conservatories will now be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with this conservatory insulation option.
Install Insulation
Improving your walls by installing better insulation can help prevent heat loss and reduce the need to turn on radiators that use up a lot of gas or electricity. Insulation works by creating a barrier to heat flow. Heat naturally moves from warmer to cooler areas.
For example, they’ll go from your warm living room to the cold attic in winter. Insulating materials, whether in the loft, walls or floors, contain trapped air pockets or reflective surfaces that significantly slow down this heat transfer.
Having this installed into your home keeps the heat you’ve paid for inside during the colder months and keeps the heat out during warmer periods, reducing the demand on your heating and cooling systems. Better insulation can also increase the value of your property.
Solar Panels
Solar panels, specifically photovoltaic (PV) panels, generate electricity directly from sunlight. By installing them, you create your own renewable source of electricity. This means you rely less on electricity from the national grid, which is typically generated from fossil fuels.
The energy you generate yourself is free after the initial installation cost, directly reducing your electricity bills throughout the course of the year. Any excess electricity you produce can often be exported back to the grid, sometimes earning you a payment, further offsetting your energy costs.
The effectiveness of solar panels depends on factors like roof orientation, shading, system size and your household’s energy consumption patterns. Many homeowners also opt to install battery storage systems alongside their solar panels.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Installing a Solar Energy System
Installing a solar energy system is an excellent way for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy bills, and increase the value of their property. However, navigating the process of installing solar panels can seem daunting for many homeowners.
Window Upgrades
Single-pane windows are notorious for heat loss. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows, such as double or triple glazing, drastically improves your home’s thermal performance.
These windows feature multiple panes of glass with sealed gaps often filled with insulating gases like argon or krypton. They may also have low-emissivity (low-E) coatings that reflect heat.
This multi-layered design creates a much more effective barrier against heat transfer, reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This can lessen the workload on your heating and cooling systems and improve overall comfort.
other related articles of interest:
7 Energy Savings Strategies for Every Homeowner
How to Cut Energy Costs Through Proper Duct Sealing and Insulation
Final Thoughts
Upgrading your home for energy efficiency is about investing in a more comfortable and sustainable lifestyle. From the immediate savings offered by LED lighting and smart technology to the long-term benefits of insulation and solar panels, each improvement contributes to a home that works harder for your budget.
If you embrace these changes, you can significantly reduce your utility bills. This can ease financial stress and create a more enjoyable living space for years to come.
Image Credit: by envato.com
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