Two thirds of adults reported that their cost of living increased in January 2022 and that is partly due to spiralling energy costs. In order to minimise the impact of the increased utility bills we need to ensure that our homes are as energy efficient as possible.
This means reducing your homes energy requirements for electricity, gas and water.
Heating
Reduce the temperature fluctuations in your home by reducing heat loss. By ensuring that you have sufficient insulation in the walls and roof and by minimising drafts through windows and doors with double or triple glazing you will reduce the amount of energy required to heat your home.
By improving your ability to control the temperature in individual rooms you can target heating where you need it most. This can be achieved by installing thermostatic radiator valves or underfloor heating.
Hot Water
You can reduce the quantity of hot water that you need by installing low flow taps and shower heads. Hot water panels can be installed on your roof or in your garden, these use solar energy to heat water that sits in coils in the water panels.
Electricity
You can reduce your electricity needs by turning off plugs at the socket, lots of appliances use electricity even when they are in “standby” mode. Make sure you are using low energy light bulbs wherever possible. Alternative sources of energy such as photo voltaic solar panels are increasingly efficient.
Get advice
Some of the ideas above are achievable immediately just by changing behaviour, but others such as improving insulation, adding double glazing or underfloor heating will involve building works, and some may require planning permission or building regulation approval. You should always seek expert advice before making structural changes.
TIMMS EIDA’s top tips
Reduce temperature fluctuations
- Improve roof insulation
- Improve wall insulation
- Install double glazing
Reduce hot water demands
- Low flow taps
- Low flow shower heads
- Hot water panels
Better temperature control
- Thermostatic radiator valves
- Underfloor heating
Alternative sources of energy
- Photo Voltaic panels
- Ground or air source heat pump
Reduce Electricity consumption
- Turn off plug sockets
- Use low energy light bulbs
Who are Timms Eida and Associates?
Timms Eida & Associates are experts in construction and have been providing construction cost advice for almost 50 years. We can help you to set an appropriate budget and get the best value for money for your building project.
