With prices gradually rising, people are trying to be sensible with their money and are looking at more ways they can save. Reducing your energy bills is something nearly all homeowners will be looking at as we head into the winter months.There are some home improvements you need to be aware of as they could be canceling out your energy-efficient product or swaps. We’ve laid out a few key areas that all homeowners should pay attention to.
Central Heating Systems
Upgrading your heating system has the potential to save you money, especially through the colder months. But did you know there could be things you aren’t doing that will be preventing how effective your new system is? Although you might still see an initial drop in your energy bills, you could be missing out on bigger savings.
Programming your thermostat
Nearly all modern thermostats will be programable, allowing you to set multiple daily settings for your home. Keeping your thermostat set below 10°C whilst you’re sleeping and away from your home could save you a considerable amount of money per month. Simply program your thermostat to start warming up to your desired temperature 30 minutes before you wake up and 30 minutes before your return home for a comfortable home. In the evening, time the temperature to drop with your sleep schedule. Remember your home will stay warm for a considerable amount of time after switching off the heating.
Keeping your old windows and doors
In the majority of UK homes, you’ll find radiators placed underneath windowsills, as traditionally this was considered the coldest area of the home. Older windows don’t have the same capabilities as modern advancements. On average homeowners lose 10% of their heat through inefficient doors and windows. Upgrading to modern double-glazed windows will keep the heat in your home and could save you up to £75 a year on your energy bills.
DIY home improvement projects
There were more people trapped in their homes than ever before during the March 2020 mandated lockdown. So, many homeowners wanted to tackle those long overdue jobs around the house. With professional work temporarily halted but DIY stores remaining open in the UK, lots of homeowners made the decision to carry out their own home improvement projects.
In 2019 a YouGov study found that 52% of homeowners carried out their own home improvement projects with only 15% of all UK homeowners using a professional. We’ve all badly attempted putting up a piece of IKEA flatpack before, but would you think of installing your own windows or building your own extension? Well, 17% of UK adults have attempted their own building projects and we can be certain this figure increased during Covid 19 lockdowns.
By carrying out your own project you run the risk of causing significant and costly damage to your home whilst potentially leaving your home vulnerable to intruders, insects, or rodents. There are so many things that can go wrong during an installation process that the average person won’t recognise or notice happening. As a professional installation company, we’re trained in proper installation processes as well as full health and safety. At Halstead Glass, we also have full access to professional tools and high-quality products.
The most common home improvement inexperienced homeowners try and carry out is replacing their own front door. Contrary to what the internet may tell you replacing your front door isn’t a simple task and there are a lot of mistakes that can easily be made including:
- Not measuring the door opening correctly
- Improper care and maintenance during installation
- Using the wrong tools or equipment
- Overtightening screws
- Not starting with a level sill, to begin with
Polycarbonate conservatory roofs
The number of people working from home in the UK went from 12.4% in 2019 to a huge 25.9% during the lockdowns in 2020. It doesn’t seem like things are changing either with many workplaces either moving to total remote working or incorporating flexible in-office hours.
With this increase, many homeowners who had existing conservatories or garden extensions started converting these spaces into home offices and using them for upwards of seven hours a day. With this additional use, you might notice it isn’t staying as warm or cool as it should be. Thermal issues occurring are likely to be caused by an inefficient conservatory roof. Previously conservatory roofs were made from Polycarbonate as it’s a durable and weatherproof material. However, Polycarbonate is not that effective at keeping warmth in during the winter and out during the summer months. Upgrading to a Guardian warm roof or a modern glass roof will transform your extension into a fully functional space, you can use all year round.
Although the rest of your conservatory could be in great condition with great thermal efficiency a poor Polycarbonate roof will render it useless.
Home improvement predictions for 2022
If the last two years have taught us anything it’s that everything is unpredictable, and things can change at any moment. As COP26 has just passed, we could see a swift change in efforts to become a more sustainable country. Putting energy efficiency and sustainability firmly at the forefront of all our minds.
The home improvement boom doesn’t seem to be slowing down with homeowners investing in creating safer, more secure, and energy-efficient homes.
Energy-efficient home improvements in Essex and Suffolk
If you have any questions regarding energy efficiency and how to improve the thermal efficiency of your home, contact us online and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Here at Halstead Glass, we’re proud to be able to provide our customers with a range of high-quality energy-efficient home improvement products. Whether you’re looking to replace your windows, upgrade your door or boost your conservatory with a replacement roof, we can help. Give us a call on 01787 473 516 for your free, no-obligation quote today.
Alternatively, you can visit our showroom, where a member of our team will be happy to help you.