New homes are built with the environment and energy efficiency in mind, meaning that energy costs in a new home are unusually small. Unfortunately, we don’t all live in a brand new energy-efficient home. That said, there are lots of easy ways to raise the standard of your home and bring it into line with the modern ones being built. Below are some ways you can add style to your home and save some money.
Improve Your Insulation
If your home is a more traditional style, it probably won’t be very energy efficient, particularly by modern standards. You could be losing a significant amount of money every year, paying for energy that is disappearing out of walls, doors, and windows. Luckily, there are some excellent and relatively inexpensive ways to solve this issue. Loft insulation can be purchased locally and can make a big difference to heat lost through the roof. Draft excluders at your doors are also very efficient and decorative.
Switch to LED Lights
If you don’t currently use led home lighting, you could be paying up to $100 more on your utility bill every year. To make this saving you don’t even have to replace all of the incandescent bulbs in your home, only the ones you are using most frequently. When you realize how much you are saving, however, chances are you will quickly make the switch with all your light. As well as excellent efficiency, LED lighting can be suitable for any room, and colorful, if that’s what you want.
Use Smart Meters
One of the best ways to save money on your annual utility bill and contribute to environmental sustainability is to monitor and optimize the energy that you use. This can be done using a smart meter for electricity and water. A smart meter will tell you exactly how much energy you use and what devices and times of the day are most energy-intensive. After only a few days of using one, you will start to change your habits; this will be reflected in your energy bill.
Install Solar panels
How does free energy sound? That’s precisely what you get from the sun, and solar panels are the best way to capture it and turn it into electricity that can be used to boil the kettle or switch on your LED lights. They can be expensive to install, upfront, but government initiatives are available, and the savings that you make over time more than makes up for the initial outlay. Furthermore, there is the opportunity to sell your renewable energy back to the grid and make a profit.
Use Natural Products
We often don’t think about the cleaning products we use in the home; things like bleach, laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, and floor cleaner. When buying these products in the shops, the deciding factors are usually based on price and quantity. However, these products are harmful to the natural environment and can get into the food chain and contribute to illnesses and poor health. There are many eco alternatives on the market nowadays that are worth considering.
WHEN INSULATION GOES WRONG IN YOUR HOME
7 August, 2020 by Suzanne Leave a Comment (Edit)PinShareTweet0SHARES
Cavity insulation is one of the main ways to protect your home from heat loss and save on your utility bills. It’s usually a cost-effective project that pays for itself in approximately three years.
Up to 35 per cent of heat in your house is lost through the walls, which is why getting cavity wall insulation could significantly reduce your bills. It can also help with soundproofing too, and soundproofliving.com has plenty of other suggestions on this.
In order to insulate your home, you must contact a professional that is registered with the National Insulation Association. It’s a complex project that has to be done right, otherwise, you could end up causing more damage to your property than good.
One thing you should definitely not overlook is that you might be eligible for discounts, depending on your situation. This is based on various factors, including your income, age, or the offers in your local area. It’s easy to find cavity wall insulation experts and it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it always pays for itself eventually, if the job is done well.
However, there are unfortunately a lot of people that have had this type of insulation and are experiencing issues. How can you ensure that your home is protected from cavity wall insulation problems? Is it important to check the quality of the insulation you have had installed in your house. This is imperative because problems with cavity wall insulation can cause damage to your property and even your health. There is no time to wait. Getting an expert to have a look at your existing insulation is recommended.
Understanding The Risks Of Cavity Wall Insulation And Condensation
There is no denying that insulation is very important and can be a great asset to your property. The main benefits are experienced when you receive your utility bills. Your bills will be lower, as you stop 35 per cent of the hot air from escaping your home, which in turn means you require less energy. Another benefit relates to environmental impact. By saving energy you are also reducing your carbon emissions. However, the risks of cavity wall insulation and condensation are equally important.
If you’ve had your property insulated and you have signs of damage, get in touch with a cavity claim specialist as soon as possible. Unfortunately, poor insulation can have many counter effects. To start with, the gaps in cavity walls are very susceptible to holding water. This is simply because hot air tends to hold onto water and damp much more than cold air. So, whilst this type of insulation is meant to keep the hot air inside your property, if it actually gets trapped between the cavity walls it will do more damage than good. Even the best cavity insulation contractors can never fully guarantee that you won’t face condensation and dampness. Therefore, the line between beneficial cavity wall insulation and condensation damage is very thin.
Ensure that your home is protected with the right type of insulation. If it’s not, find out if you are entitled to compensation for your current insulation. Whether you paid the full cavity wall insulation cost yourself or you had some discounts and help from your local council, it’s still important to check to see if the insulation is damaging your property.
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