Our Top Tips to Save Energy At Home
With the arrival of wintery weather and the cost of living crisis still impacting budgets, many of us will be considering how to reduce energy bills at home. Making adjustments to the way we live at home, as well as upgrading the property itself, can have a significant impact on your expenses. Our list of five top tips to save energy includes small changes that will see an immediate impact, as well as investments into upgrading your property that will reduce your outgoings significantly for years to come.
1. Update Your Appliances
Make the most of the new year’s sales to update some of your appliances. Modern appliances are more energy-efficient in design as they are required to meet guidelines not expected of older appliances. Consider the age of your dishwasher, tumble dryer or washing machine. Are they due for an upgrade? In the long run, having more energy-efficient appliances will save you significant money.
2. Switch to LED Bulbs
While you are upgrading your appliances, upgrade your light bulbs too. Switching to LED bulbs will have a fast impact. LED bulbs are a very affordable way to lower energy usage. Although they have a higher upfront cost than regular lightbulbs, they have a longer lifespan, and the reduction you will see in your bills makes them a more than worthwhile investment. Your local DIY shop should stock the LED bulbs you need, meaning you can achieve the swap in just one afternoon.
3. Upgrading Your Windows
Double glazing is a must-have for improving the energy efficiency of your home. How do double-glazed windows save money? 18% of heat loss in a home occurs through windows, so upgrading them will save significant money in the long term. Windows should be upgraded every 10-15 years to maintain maximum insulation efficiency and draft prevention. If you live in an older property, it is especially worth inspecting your windows. Older frames are much more likely to become warped or damaged due to weather exposure and age.
Surprisingly, around 7% of homes in the UK still have single glazing, which loses heat twice as fast as double glazing. Government research indicates that by installing good quality, A-rated double-glazed windows, a detached house could save as much as £150 a year on their energy bills. Therefore, potentially saving you £750 on your bills over 5 years and £1500 over 10 years.
You will see the best results from double glazing by investing in high-quality windows. To ensure your new double-glazed windows are of the best quality, you must choose a reputable, experienced window supplier and installer. If you live in West Sussex, contact us at Benchmark Windows at 01903756699. Our team will be more than happy to talk you through our range of bespoke double and triple-glazed windows and explain our expert installation service.
4. Installing Energy-Efficient Doors
Replacing old doors will make a positive difference to your energy bills. Older doors can easily let drafts in and heat out. A draft excluder is a good temporary fix, but it can only do so much. Choose new doors to solve the problem, such as our bespoke composite doors with an ‘A’ energy rating. There is no need to compromise on style or character, our more traditional timber doors are also designed to be thermally efficient.
At Benchmark, we stock a wide range of high-quality doors. We would love to help you find the perfect fit for your home that will reduce your energy bills and match your aesthetic.
5. Replacing Your Old Conservatory
If your home has an old conservatory, it is worth considering replacing it. Old conservatories are nowhere near as thermally efficient as modern designs. Your conservatory could be losing a considerable amount of your home’s heat and letting in drafts. If the existing foundations and brickwork are in good condition, the conservatory can be replaced with a more modern, efficient version. Upgrading your conservatory will allow you to continue to enjoy the bright, airy living space without worrying about heat loss.
Our specialists at Benchmark Windows can work with you to design a replacement conservatory in the style and colour of your choice, tailored to suit your property. Choose between Timber, PVC-U, Aluminium and Replica Timber to create your perfect look.
An upgraded conservatory will transform the space, making it cost-effective, energy-efficient and durable in the face of winter weather.
Why Choose Benchmark Windows
If you are looking for ways to make your home more thermally efficient by replacing windows, doors or a conservatory, please get in touch. Our experienced, knowledgeable team is on hand to help you from the decision-making process to the installation day. We have assisted many happy customers in the West Sussex area with replacing and installing the perfect doors and windows for their property.
‘The whole process was exceptional from start to finish, from in-depth knowledge and advice on the product, a solution to a difficult installation, which was completed in a professional manner with great attention to detail and excellent communication. We cannot fault them in any area and felt completely reassured throughout, in addition, they are just lovely people to deal with.’ – Sarah Penrose, Benchmark Windows Customer.
Call us on 01903756699 today to discuss how we can help reduce your energy bills by upgrading your doors and windows.
