How can you make your new build or home renovation more energy efficient?

With our everyday activities having a profound impact on the environment, it’s important to consider what you could be doing to save the planet.

Currently 1.1 million homes rely on fossil fuel heating each year, highlighting the need for people and businesses to make the switch to sustainable heating and energy solutions.

Due to this we’ve suggested a few ways you could make your new build or renovation more energy efficient.

Energy efficient lighting

Switching to energy efficient lighting is a great small change you can make to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Currently lighting accounts for 11% of the average UK household's electricity consumption. Switching to LED lights will help to reduce your carbon emissions and save you money on energy bills.

Another great way to improve your energy efficiency is through installing smart lighting. This is where you can connect your lights to an app, smart home assistant or any other smart accessories available and can control your lights remotely allowing you to turn your lights off once you’ve left the house if you’ve forgotten to turn them off.

Other benefits include:

Saving money on energy bills - Smart lights use LEDs that can be 70-90% more energy efficient than conventional light bulbs.
Improved security - You can programme your lights to be turned on and off at certain times of the day to make it look like your home and prevent break-ins.
Can change the aesthetic of your home - Depending on the smart lights you’ve purchased, you may be able to change the colour, hue and brightness of your bulb, adjusting it the mood you’re setting for your home.
They’re convenient - Due to them being easy to control from anywhere there’s an added convenience from being able to control your lighting whenever you need to.

Upgrade your insulation

Did you know a third of a home's heat is lost through walls? With most UK homes having cavity walls, their gaps can be filled using insulation, which could save you approximately £395 on your energy bills each year.

Adding insulation to your home will help prevent heat escaping through your roof, walls, windows and doors. Research shows that if you increase your loft insulation from 120mm to at least 270mm you can save £35 each year on your bills.

Install double or triple glazing

Approximately 18% of heat within a house is lost through windows, which is usually lost through window frames.

Installing double and triple glazing can help to keep your home warm. Double glazing has an air gap that prevents heat leaving your home, whereas triple glazing adds an extra pane of glass that prevents heat loss even further.

Install solar panels

Solar panels are the most common domestic renewable energy sources in the UK, as they can save you up to £325 a year, as well as helping to reduce your carbon emissions.

Solar panels are costly to install, however they’ll help you save money on your energy bills in the long run.

Add draught proofing

Professional draft proofing of windows, doors, floors and skirting boards is estimated to save you £125 a year as well as reducing your carbon emissions.

Following on from this, if you cannot afford to pay for this to be completed professionally, then heavy lined curtains are a cheaper way to help keep the warmth in your home.

Swap your boiler for a heat pump

Heat pumps are a great sustainable alternative to boilers, helping to both heat and cool your home. Like solar panels they have a costly upfront price, but they can help you save money on your energy bills in the long run.

Heat pumps can also be paired with emitters like radiators, fan coil units and underfloor heating, helping you keep your house at an optimal temperature. To learn more about the different heat emitters you could use in your home, read our blog.

Furthermore, to discover more about heat pumps, read our blog on air source heat pump FAQS.

If you’re thinking about installing a heat pump, you may be eligible for the government's BUS scheme (Boiler Upgrade Scheme).

The scheme provides funding to help people with the cost of installing an air source heat pump. To learn more about the scheme, read our blog on maximising government grants for heat pumps.

How can Enula help you improve your home's efficiency

Here at Enula we exist to ensure our planet has a future for everyone and everything on it. Due to this we’re driving Britain’s heat pump revolution helping all businesses and individuals have a net zero carbon footprint.

Get in touch with us today to see how we can help improve your home's energy efficiency.