We are dismayed to learn that the Energy Price Cap is set to rise by 5% from the 1st January 2024, just as we enter what is traditionally one of the coldest months of the year. With Christmas being an expensive time for many and the gap between December and January’s salary often being extended, we offer this new year energy efficiency checklist to help you prepare for the upcoming price rise and to put in place small and sustainable changes to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
1. Does your energy company owe you money?
The first thing that you should check is whether your energy company owes you money. If you have accumulated a large credit of greater than two months’ worth of energy bills, you may wish to request that it be refunded. Alternatively, you could request that your direct debit is reduced to account for the large credit balance.
2. Are your unused appliances switched off?
Electronic appliances such as televisions and telephone chargers draw electricity even when they are not being used, so to reduce this wastage, turn them off when they are not in use. If you see a red light on an appliance, it means the appliance is on standby and costing you money.
3. Is your home draughty?
It is inefficient to heat a draughty home so find out where the cold spots are and do something about it. If you feel a breeze coming in from underneath your front door, use a draft excluder to stop it. Self-installation window insulation kits and thermal curtains can help prevent heat loss from windows, and if you are eligible for a government grant, improving your loft and cavity wall insulation can be done at little to no cost and make a significant difference to your comfort levels and energy costs.
4. Is your house lit up like the Blackpool illuminations?
Unless you are in a room, turn the lights off. This tiny step will make a marked difference to your energy bills. You may find that on a bright day, even in winter, you will not need a light on at all so try to avoid switching on lights unnecessarily through habit. Christmas lights are lovely, but if you are trying to constrain your costs, limit the time that they are on and remove them as early as possible in the New Year. Choose motion-activated rather than continually lit security lights to illuminate your outdoor space and increase security.
5. Are you heating your home efficiently?
It is great to come home to a warm house, but if you are heating your home when you are not in it, it is costing you money while providing little benefit. If your thermostat is controlled by a timer, set it to a heating pattern that better matches your needs or if you have a smart thermostat that can be controlled remotely, use this to prepare your home for your arrival rather than setting it to come on too early. Remember to adjust your timer to account for changes in your routine, such as returning to work after the Christmas break.
6. Are you wasting water?
If your hot water comes out so hot that you need to use an equal or greater amount of cold water to achieve a comfortable washing temperature, you are wasting water and money. Turn the temperature down on the boiler to reduce the amount of water that you need to use. Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, and get into the habit of filling a basin with water for washing dishes instead of running the tap continuously.
7. Can you benefit from a government grant to improve your home’s energy efficiency?
Finally, have you checked to see if you are eligible for any government grant schemes? If your home has an energy performance certificate of D or below, you are claiming any benefits or live in social housing, there is a good chance that you will be eligible for funding towards energy efficiency improvements, including renewed insulation, boiler upgrades and even photovoltaic solar panel installation.
To check whether you are eligible for any of the schemes for which we are approved installers or to discuss your options, please contact our team today. We would be very happy to help you to assess your circumstances and recommend any action that you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home, your comfort levels and to rein in your energy bills.
