Since the price of energy rose in 2022, we have been looking at small ways to reduce our energy usage and increase our home’s energy efficiency. It was shocking to see just how much energy we were wasting, and being able to make small changes has helped us keep control of how much energy we are using and keep our bills as low as possible.

So while things such as using flasks to keep water hot for cuppas, wearing hoodie blankets to stay warm instead of putting the heating on or using the eco cycle on the washing machine all help us, a significant factor is how energy efficient your home is. These are the more significant changes you can make as an investment to help you keep your bills down and make your home work for you in a positive way.

One shocking statistic showed that many older UK homes are ill-equipped for the ongoing energy crisis, and over £10 billion yearly is wasted due to inefficient homes (around £394 per house, if you’re wondering). That being said, homes built post-2012 are more energy efficient, but there is always room for improvement. Plus, a more energy-efficient home is better for your bank account and the environment.

I’m going to share some ways you can improve your energy efficiency in your home.

Energy Efficient Windows

One of the first places you should look at how to increase your home’s energy efficiency is the windows. Leaky or inefficient windows are the house’s primary source of energy loss. They can make keeping it warm much harder. Double or triple glazing can instantly improve your home aesthetically and practically too. Plus, they are also great at reducing external noise pollution too.

However, not everyone can replace or needs to replace the windows, so identifying if your home is leaking energy and doing DIY repairs can be a good idea. Tips for identifying air leaks in your window include;

• Holding your hand near the window to feel for drafts
• Looking for cracked or missing sealant
• Holding a candle to the window to see if the breeze blows the flame
• Gently pressing the window to see if it moves.

Once you have identified any issues, you can look at repairs to help reduce these inefficiencies and air leakage through windows using sealant or adding insulation to gaps around window frames if required.

Window Shutters

We all know how important it is to keep curtains closed on your windows to reduce heat escaping; however, did you know window shutters can also help you improve your home’s energy efficiency?

This is because they are crafted from a solid material, meaning they create a barrier to stop heat loss. Now, getting measured for and having shutters can be expensive; however, it doesn’t need to be. If you want to save energy at home by installing shutters, you can choose the DIY option. You can save anywhere up to 40% on installation costs by choosing shutters you can install yourself, such as from California Shutters.

You can choose from full solid raised shutters (like wooden doors on your windows) made from solid wood, cafe-style shutters from faux wood, full and half-height shutters, and more. They provide extensive how-to guides for measuring, choosing your shutter style and fitting your new shutters. Plus, the best part is you will get an exact fit and design to compliment your window and home crafted from only the highest quality materials at a fraction of the cost of fully installed window shutters, meaning not only are you saving on energy bills but on purchase cost too.

Insulation

Insulation is vital to increasing how energy efficient your home is, and there are many ways you can insulate your home yourself.

• Loft insulation – you can purchase many styles of loft insulation, including eco-friendly versions. You can use sheep’s wool, hemp, recycled paper, cork, insulation made from recycled plastic bottles and many more. You can purchase them and fit them yourself if you feel confident enough to do so.
• Wall insulation – Fibreglass or wool insulation can be added to walls if you are an expert DIYer; this isn’t something everyone can take n themselves, but it is possible to do it without a professional if you know what you are doing
• Again, as with the above points, you can insulate your pipes and your hot water tank if you have one to avoid heat loss and increase energy efficiency.

Change Light Bulbs

So simple; everyone can do this. By swapping out your light bulbs for more energy-efficient LED lights, you can still get the same amount of light in a room but use less energy to produce it. This can save up to £18 per bulb per year off your electricity bill.

Prevent Draughts

We’ve looked at preventing and reducing draughts around windows, but you can also do this in other areas of your home, such as your loft and doors. From filling in gaps in brickwork and door seals on internal doors to using draught excluders on all doors, you can make small, simple changes to your doorways to help you reduce energy loss. It isn’t always about the big changes; sometimes, the smallest fixes can yield big results. Doing this can save you around £60 per year depending on the air leak escaping your home and how many doors you need to draught-proof, of course, but it is well worth the investment. You can buy draught excluders relatively cheaply from many stores now and in different forms to suit your home.

Soft Furnishings

Soft furnishings shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to DIY ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. First off, carpets are an excellent way to seal floors and any gaps in the floors and skirting board, helping to reduce heat loss compared to wooden or tiled flooring. If you don’t have carpets, large thick rugs can help you to some extent, especially trapping heat escaping through floorboards. The same can be said for long thick curtains which you can close over windows to keep the cold out and the heat in. Ideally, it would be best to have floor-length curtains unless you have a radiator under the window. This might obstruct the room’s heat, but thick curtains can help insulate your rooms, especially those with larger windows.

I hope these tips help you out. If you have any other ideas, I would love to hear them; any way to save money on energy bills is always welcome!

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What you need to know when improving your home energy efficiency How to make your home energy efficient How to boost your home’s energy efficiency Most common problems with older homes (and how to fix them)