One of the best ways that you can save money as well as making your home more attractive on the housing market is through investing in energy-efficiency. There are many benefits in doing so, including helping to save the planet and protect the environment around you. Energy-efficiency basically means that your home will use less energy to provide the same result, usually regarding heat and energy. When you make these 5 key home improvements, you can make your home greener, saving your home money and adding value to your home.
Adding Solar Panels To the Roof
One of the best things you can do to improve the energy-efficiency of your home is to add solar panels to the roof. Although a lot of energy-efficiency is about making a home able to use less energy, supplementing a home’s energy source with renewable energy is also a good way to cut down emissions. Many people also find that they are able to sell energy back to the energy company because their solar panels make a surplus! However, just make sure that your installers have the right construction NVQs to be able to install them properly.
Installing Loft Insulation
Did you know that up to 35% of your energy can be lost through your loft and roof? This is because heat energy rises, and if your loft and roof is not well insulated, this energy can easily be lost through the roof. Loft insulation would prevent this energy from escaping, ensuring that your home uses less energy to keep it at the same temperature. Many people find that they are able to save thousands after having loft insulation fitted, and many homes on the market do better if they have insulation fitted. Usually taking only one day to install, loft insulation is one of the best energy-efficiency measures you can choose for your home.
Adding Cladding
People who own older homes may find that internal or external insulation, sometimes known as cladding, can be one of the better options when it comes to making your home energy-efficient. This is because a lot of your energy can also be lost through the walls, but cavity wall insulation may not be an option for a number of reasons. Make sure to ask for a consultation before you have it done so the insulation installers can tell you the best way to install cladding insulation to the interiors or exteriors of your home.
Installing Cavity Wall Insulation
Many homes have a gap in between the outer walls, which in the past was often used to prevent the spread of damp, which was a huge problem at the time. However, this has created another problem for homeowners – in that it makes it much easier for heat to escape. These gaps can create a lot of space for heat energy to escape, so filling them with cavity wall foam or beads can go a long way when it comes to making your home more energy-efficient.
Getting A Smart Meter
You don’t need to pay for construction workers with lots of retrofit qualifications to make your home more energy-efficient if you can’t afford it just yet. By simply installing a smart meter in your home, you will be able to easily track how much energy you’re using on a daily basis, and see where you’re wasting energy. A smart meter can tell you how much energy you’re using, and what rooms are using the most energy so you can turn appliances off or rethink your energy use. This is one of the cheapest and quickest ways you can start making your home energy efficient.
By taking the steps to transform your home, you will be able to save money, help the planet take control of its carbon emissions, and make your home more valuable on the housing market.