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As people are becoming more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly, the demand for energy-efficient homes has gone up. Whether buyers are looking for a property for sale in Dartford or a new place to take on rent, the need for energy-efficient properties is everywhere. Energy-efficient homes are not only good for the environment, but they can also add to the valuation of a property! And, of course, an energy-efficient home means a lower utility bill! Here are 7 ways to make your home more energy-efficient, which are quite easy and don’t cost all that much!

1 Insulation is key

One of the best ways to make your home energy efficient is by insulating the lofts and walls. Think about it, when the outside temperature starts to impact the temperature in your house, you’re either going to blast the air conditioner or turn up the heater, depending on the weather outside. However, if you have insulated walls and ceilings, you can regulate the temperature inside without making your electricity bills go sky high!

2 Turn down the thermostat

Research suggests that homeowners could save £405 every year on their energy bills by insulating the house and turning down the thermostat by a degree or two. One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is by turning down the thermostat by two or three degrees when you are out of the house. As soon as you inculcate this habit into your daily routine, you will notice the difference in your energy bills.

3 Change the bulbs

Gone are the days when the only option was choosing between a 40-watt, 60-watt and 100-watt bulb. Now, thanks to the advancement in technology, we can choose from LED bulbs, halogen bulbs, and fluorescent light bulbs, all of which are great for energy saving. So replace all the lights in your house with any of the bulbs mentioned above to instantly make your home energy efficient!

4 Use energy-efficient appliances

Daily use appliances such as dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators and air conditioners use up approximately 13 per cent of the household energy. So, before you buy an appliance, make sure to check whether it is energy efficient or not. While the cost of energy-efficient appliances might be a little bit higher than regular appliances, you will be able to save hundreds of pounds on your energy bill, which is better in the long run. To choose the right energy-efficient appliance, look at the energy star label on every appliance.  Usually, energy star appliances use 10 to 15 per cent less energy than regular appliances.

5 Install solar panels

While this option is not cheap, it is very effective in the long run. Solar panels ensure that you have hot water all year round and can even generate electricity. Gone are the days where you need to turn on the water heater before jumping into the shower. Solar panels will help you save on energy bills in the long run, they will make your house more energy-efficient, and they can even drive up the valuation of your property. First, however, you must get the solar panels installed from a well-reputed company after doing your due diligence.

6 Use water-saving devices

Use water-saving showerheads in the bathroom to start saving energy and saving water too. You can also use water-saving devices on your kitchen sink and bathroom sink so that you can save water while you wash the vegetables and brush your teeth. You might not even realise how much water is being consumed when you take a 20-minute shower, and you certainly won’t realise how much that will impact your energy use! Switch to water-saving faucets and devices to save water and make your home energy efficient!

7 Upgrade your HVAC system

This one is especially important for those people who have been working from home for the past few months because your HVAC system has been working around the clock, as have you! First and foremost, it is important to upgrade your HVAC system to one that is energy efficient. Also, it is very important that you get the HVAC checked and tuned regularly. One of the best ways to make your HVAC energy efficient is by opting for an automatic thermostat to ensure that the HVAC system is running at total efficiency while being energy-efficient! Combine the central HVAC system with an automatic thermostat and solar panels, and you will have a highly energy-efficient house!

Rachel Sterry