We all want our money to go further, so looking at ways in which to save on a monthly basis is absolutely vital.
With the economy still strained and the price of a number of household essentials increasing rapidly, it is advisable to look towards your monthly energy usage as one area in which to save money.
There are simple steps which can be taken to reduce consumption, including the well-known tips of turning off lights when leaving a room, refraining from keeping electrical items on standby and being mindful of keeping items such as phone chargers plugged into the mains.
However, there are alternative simple measures that can be taken which could make an even bigger difference.
The value of a Green Deal assessment
As our blog has mentioned before, a Green Deal assessment will help the homeowner identify the areas in your property where changes would work most efficiently. Although some may be more expensive than others, remember that up front financing can be obtained through the Green Deal.
Furthermore, an assessment will help to prioritise the areas of the home that need changing sooner rather than later – whether this is the installation of insulation in cavity walls or lofts, or more efficient boilers, for example. Opportunities for micro generation could also be suggested, whether this is wind, hydro or solar power
EvoEnergy is a Green Deal assessor and solar panel installer, so talk to the company to see if you can arrange a scheduled appointment to get your home checked.
On this occasion, let’s take a look at the benefits which insulation could bring.
Warming up to home insulation
Losing valuable heat from a property is one of the biggest ways in which households lose out when it comes to energy bill payments. Older properties are more likely to experience this problem, with some cavity walls lacking insulation and solid walls preventing the easy application of the technology.
It is important to see whether internal or external insulation can be applied, whilst loft insulation is a must for most properties with empty attic space. Fortunately, insulation is one of the measures covered in the Green Deal agreement, with energy companies and installers able to offer the money up front. However, depending on your requirements, types of insulation vary in cost which could affect the time it takes to see real savings after Green Deal repayments.
The Energy Saving Trust has estimated that for properties without loft insulation, a £300 installation of the material would pay for itself within just two years, reducing carbon emissions by 730kg per year. Topping up insulation from 100mm to 270mm with a similar installation cost, would take 12 years to pay off, saving an additional 110kg of CO2 a year.
For cavity walls, a £450-£500 installation would pay for itself in under four years. The amount of carbon emissions cut by this method is an estimated 560kg a year. Solid walls on the other hand would be more costly to install, ranging from £5,500 – £8,500 for internal and £9,400 – £13,000 for external. However, the former would save an estimated £460 a year, while the latter will save £490 in the same time, with both reducing carbon emissions by just under two tonnes.
Whether you are looking to just save money, or if reducing carbon emissions is of a particular concern to you, a Green Deal assessor can help.
