Any home improvement requires some investment, and more substantial renovations cost even more. However, we all have a responsibility to try and reduce our environmental impact and a great way to do that is to make your home more energy efficient.
Here are some of the benefits of having an energy-efficient home.
1. Smaller carbon footprint
If you are trying to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle, then making your home energy efficient should be one of the first things you look at. Last year, research by the National Housing Federation revealed that England’s homes produce more CO2 every year than all the cars in the country, with poor insulation and gas central heating likely to blame for the high levels of pollutants.
2. Lower bills
Despite the initial cost of making eco-friendly improvements, you should save money in the long run. Making energy-efficient improvements to your home such as better insulation, double or triple-glazed windows, or switching from an old boiler to a heat pump will all help to reduce your energy bills.
In particular, it will reduce what you spend on heating, as heat is generated more efficiently and stays in the property for longer, meaning you don’t have to have the heating system on as often or for as long.
3. Reduced condensation with EWI
If one of the energy-efficient upgrades you choose is external wall insulation, then another benefit you can expect is reduced damp and condensation. Damp and condensation are caused by moisture in the home when warm air hits a cold surface (such as uninsulated walls), and this moisture can lead to a range of problems from smaller aesthetic issues to more serious structural problems if left untreated.
4. Better EPC Rating and resale value
By making energy-efficiency improvements, the energy you use in your home will go much further, resulting in a better rating on your Energy Performance Certificate. It is a legal requirement to have an EPC and to have it available for potential buyers and tenants.
A property with a better rating is more appealing, as it means that they will have to spend less on energy bills. A home with a low EPC rating on the other hand may put off potential buyers because they will have to spend money making the improvements themselves.
5. Better air quality
Since you won’t need to rely on heating and cooling systems as much in an energy-efficient home, you will also experience the benefits of better air quality in the property, as well as releasing less pollution into the atmosphere. Better air quality is particularly important for homeowners or tenants who are living with a condition such as asthma or allergies.
6. Cheaper home insurance
As well as lower bills, another benefit of energy-efficient homes is that the cost of home insurance can often be reduced. Some insurance companies may offer discounts to homeowners of properties with energy-efficient windows, doors and appliances.
7. More comfort
Our final advantage to having an energy-efficient home is that you will be more comfortable. Energy-efficient homes, particularly those with good insulation, maintain a steady temperature, meaning you don’t experience cold spots anywhere in the house and you don’t have to keep fiddling with the thermostat to be comfortable.
There are many benefits to energy-efficient homes that far outweigh the initial cost of the necessary improvements, whether you are looking to be more comfortable physically and financially or looking to increase your resale value and your home’s appeal to potential buyers.
If you are ready to start making some energy-efficient home improvements, why not start with external wall insulation, which can reduce annual heating bills by 50%.