The shift to autumn this year has already felt drastic. The summer just passed was the hottest on record – a recurring trend in the era of climate change – which can make the move into colder seasons even feel more profound. Beyond wearing our waterproofs more often and dusting off our beanies, the change to autumn weather also means reconsidering how we approach home energy efficiency.
The price that most households are expected to pay for energy will increase by 2% this October, due largely to price cap changes. And this is just one thing to consider. The world is in the midst of an ongoing energy crisis, which could go on for many years. Energy-efficient homes need to manage themselves properly during the colder months and in the long term.
This article will explore how to make your home more energy efficient on a long and short-term basis, so you can manage price hikes in autumn, winter and beyond.
Long-term energy-efficient home improvements
It’s important to properly consider your home’s building envelope. You could greatly enhance your home’s energy efficiency rating by investing in some permanent improvements.
New garage doors
The garage can be a massive leak point for heat, significantly reducing your home’s overall energy efficiency. Installing new, insulated garage doors can help seal the temperature in the garage, having a knock-on effect on overall home energy efficiency.
Double-glazing windows
Listen, we’ve all turned away a door-to-door salesman or two in our lives, but that doesn’t mean double glazing is a scam. You could be losing hundreds in energy bills over time with single-glazed windows, so don’t neglect doubling up as a worthwhile investment.
Note. You could even go the extra mile and invest in triple glazing if you see fit.
Smart installations and appliances
There are several smart installations you can make for a more efficient home energy plan. Smart thermostats and heating controls help to prevent wasted energy, while Smart Meters are essential for tracking usage in any home.
Insulation improvements
Insulation requirements will vary depending on the size and layout of your home. Homes with lofts should definitely consider insulating this area, as a lot of heat can be lost through the roof. Similarly, floors and walls can be insulated to further boost the building envelope.
These are just some of the long-term improvements that will improve home energy efficiency for many autumns and winters to come.
Short-term solutions for autumn energy efficiency
If you’re specifically concerned about this year’s autumn and need some cheaper, short-term solutions to keep your energy bills down, there are plenty of simple techniques.
Seal your draughts
Don’t let that annoying bit of breeze that somehow gets through continue bothering you this autumn. Find any draught points in your home – think doors, windows or other extremities – and seal them up using draught excluders.
Pipe insulation
Heat in water can easily be lost during transit within your pipes. Major retailers offer a range of super-affordable, non-permanent pipe insulation solutions, so you can keep baths, showers and washing up nice and hot without expanding your bills.
Making personal compromises
Staying warm doesn’t have to be entirely based on using your heating. If you’re not vulnerable/immunocompromised, consider making personal adjustments in pursuit of home energy efficiency, such as:
- Lowering the thermostat to the lowest comfortable level
- Wearing more clothes
- Relaxing at night with a blanket or hot water bottle
- Air drying clothes rather than tumbling
With these guidelines, you should feel more confident than ever in taking on the autumn weather and cold seasons in perpetuity. Making adjustments, big and small, could save you a lot of money over time, even if it takes some initial investment.