People can save money on their
gas and electricity bills by making eco-friendly home improvements.
In an article on PropertyWire.com, Sainsbury's Finance has said there are "many simple ways" in which energy consumption can be minimised.
Insulation is a "great place to start", the company argued, pointing out the Energy Saving Trust claims lagging in the loft space can reduce a household's expenditure on central heating by £175 every year.
As well as reducing levels of condensation, filling cavity walls can save as much as £135 every 12 months, the Energy Saving Trust notes, which gives the feature a payback period of three years.
This means the renovation pays for itself "many times" during its expected lifespan of 40 years, although exactly how much money people will save depends on factors including the size of their home and the depth of the wool used, Sainsbury's Finance declared.
Draught-proofing is another way to reduce
electricity and gas consumption, the enterprise stated, arguing it is a "straightforward DIY job" in many instances.
However, areas that need ventilation - such as around
gas boilers, near to flues, rooms with open fires or places that produce a lot of moisture - should not be completely sealed, it warned.
Smart meters are also a useful innovation as they allow individuals to "identify unnecessary wastage" in their daily routines, as well as enabling energy companies to monitor their customers' power requirements more accurately without sending a gas man round.
Another easy way to minimise
electricity consumption is with efficient lighting, the company remarked, noting each LED or compact fluorescent lamp saves £55 over its lifespan when compared with incandescent bulbs.
The technology in boilers has improved by "leaps and bounds" in recent years and this appliance accounts for the majority of homeowner's energy bills, it continued, stating purchasing a new efficient model can save people as much as £300 annually.
People who want to "go a step further down the green route" could generate
renewable energy in the home, such as by fitting
solar panels.
Although grants - such as from the Renewable Heat Incentive or
Feed In Tariff - can help individuals afford these devices, they still "tend to be significant investments", the business pointed out.
Posted by Helen Davidson
