How to Create an Energy Efficient Home?

Creating an energy efficient home is important for families wanting to reduce their utility bills and environmental impact. With rising energy costs and a growing awareness of climate change, methods to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle are in high demand. An energy efficient home not only conserves energy but also ensures that the energy used is managed in the most effective manner, leading to lower energy consumption and increased savings over time.

 

Several measures can be taken to enhance the energy efficiency of a property. House insulation is a critical component; properly insulating lofts, walls, and windows minimises heat loss, which is essential for maintaining a consistent temperature within the home. Additionally, double-glazing windows significantly reduce heat transfer, strengthening a home’s ability to retain heat during colder months and keep cool air inside during warmer periods.

Insulation and Draught-Proofing

 

Effective home insulation and draught-proofing are critical in minimising heat loss and maximising energy efficiency in homes. These strategies reduce heating bills and enhance the comfort of your family. We have written more about the benefits of home insulation.

Loft Insulation

Loft insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow, keeping homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. A well-insulated loft can significantly reduce the amount of heat escaping through the roof. Industry standards suggest a thickness of at least 270mm for loft insulation materials, such as mineral wool, cellulose, or natural materials like sheep’s wool.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Cavity wall insulation fills the gap between the inner and outer layers of external walls, reducing heat loss. The different types of wall insulation can involve injecting insulating materials, such as polystyrene beads or urea-formaldehyde foam, into the cavity space. Homes with cavity wall insulation can save on heating costs and decrease energy consumption.

Draught-Proofing Techniques

Draught-proofing involves stopping unwanted gaps in the fabric of a building where cold air can enter and warm air can escape. Simple techniques include:

• Installing self-adhesive foam strips around windows and doors.
• Using silicone sealant for gaps in floorboards and skirting boards.
• Applying draught excluders or brushes to letterboxes and keyholes.

Implementing these measures can lead to cost savings on fuel bills and contribute to a more energy-efficient home.

Air Tight Builds

 

What is Air Tightness?

Air tightness is a critical component in constructing energy-efficient homes. It involves the minimisation of uncontrolled air leakage through gaps and cracks in the building fabric. This reduces heat loss and enhances the overall thermal performance of the building, leading to a warmer and more cost-effective environment.

Importance of Air Tightness

An air-tight structure contributes to:

• Improved Thermal Comfort: Ensures consistent temperatures throughout.
• Energy Savings: Reduced heating requirements due to less heat loss.
• Moisture Control: Limits the potential for damp and mould growth.

Achieving Air Tightness

• Identify the Air Barrier: Determine which layer of the building envelope will serve as the air tight barrier.
• Simplify Design: Minimise the number of junctions and seams which must be sealed.
• Quality Materials: Utilise materials like DuPont™ Tyvek® and AirGuard® to achieve a superior seal.
• Consistent Workmanship: Meticulous application of sealing techniques is pivotal.

Measuring Air Tightness

Air tightness is quantified using an air permeability test, generally expressed in cubic metres per hour per square metre of the building at a reference pressure differential.

In conclusion, meticulous planning, high-quality materials, and skilled workmanship are key to achieving air tightness in self-builds, yielding a home that’s both energy efficient and comfortable.

Energy-Efficient Heating Solutions

 

Homeowners are turning to smarter, low-carbon heating solutions to reduce energy use and heating bills. Central heating systems can be optimised for efficiency through clever upgrades and controls.

Upgrading Heating Systems

Upgrading one’s central heating system to a more energy-efficient setup is a significant step towards minimising energy bills. Heat pumps, be it air or ground sources, have emerged as a leading technology in this space. They function by extracting heat from external sources and transferring it indoors.

• Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs):
  • Harvest warmth from the external air.
  • Maintain effective performance in lower temperatures.
• Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs):
  • Extract thermal energy from the ground.
  • Often more effective than ASHPs, benefiting from the ground’s steady temperature.

Smart Thermostats and Controls

Introducing smart thermostats and advanced controls into a home heating system ensures that energy is used optimally and wastage is stifled. A smart thermostat allows you to program and control your home heating remotely, ensuring that only heating is provided when needed.

• Benefits of Smart Thermostats:
  • Personalised Scheduling: Owners can set heating patterns that align with their daily routines.
  • Remote Operation: Adjust heating settings using a smartphone or tablet from any location.

Implementing these solutions effectively reduces unnecessary energy consumption, aiding in the conservation of resources and contributing to your family’s economic well-being.

Selecting Appliances and Lighting

 

In striving for an energy-efficient home, the selection of appliances and lighting is of paramount importance. They should focus on reducing energy consumption and operating at optimum efficiency.

Appliances That Save Energy

Dishwashers and washing machines are two of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home. When selecting these, you should look for the highest energy rating possible. An A+-rated appliance or higher usually indicates a higher level of efficiency. Consumers are advised to be mindful of the size of the appliance as well since larger units often consume more energy.

• Dishwashers: Choose eco-mode models that use less water and energy.
• Washing Machines: Opt for ones with adjustable load settings, which ensure that energy isn’t wasted on small loads.

Energy-Saving Light Options

Replacing traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs is a significant step towards better energy efficiency. LED bulbs, while slightly more expensive up front, use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer.

• LED Bulbs: They come in a variety of shapes, luminosities, and colours to match any room’s needs.
• Efficient Light Bulbs: Choose those with a long lifespan to reduce the frequency of replacements.

The integration of energy-saving appliances and efficient lighting is crucial in crafting a more sustainable living environment.

Window and Door Upgrades

 

Upgrading windows and doors is a great step toward energy efficiency in the home, mitigating heat loss and reducing energy bills.

Double or Triple Glazing

Windows play a crucial role in the thermal efficiency of a home. Replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazing involves two panes of glass with an inert gas-like argon between them. This setup acts as a barrier against heat loss. Additionally, triple-glazed windows introduce a third pane, further enhancing insulation properties and soundproofing.

• Benefits of double or triple glazing:
  • Reduces energy loss: Enhances the home’s ability to retain heat.
  • Cost savings: Lower energy bills over time.
  • Improved comfort: A warmer interior in the winter months.
  • Noise reduction: Provides a quieter living environment.

Energy-Efficient Doors

Doors are equally important in preventing heat escape. When considering energy-efficient doors, you should look at better insulation materials. A well-constructed, energy-efficient door can significantly reduce thermal transfer between indoors and outdoors.

• Key features of energy-efficient doors:
  • Material: Timber, fibreglass, or steel with thermal breaks and insulation.
  • Core: Often filled with insulating foam.
  • Seals: Quality weather stripping and seals to prevent drafts.
  • Installation: Proper fitting is essential to maximise the benefit of energy-efficient doors.

In addition to these upgrades, it’s important to consider the Building Energy Rating (BER) of your home. The BER assesses the energy performance of a home, taking into account factors like window and door efficiency. By improving these aspects, you can enhance your home’s BER, leading to better energy conservation and potentially increasing your property’s value.

Utilising Renewable Energy

 

People are increasingly turning to renewable energy options in the quest for energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint. Such investments contribute to climate change mitigation and aim for a net zero target, balancing out greenhouse gas emissions with removals.

Solar Panel Installation

Solar panels harness energy from the sun and are a popular choice for decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. When integrating solar photovoltaic panels on their roofs, you can expect these systems to convert sunlight into electricity to power various household devices and heating solutions.

• System Cost: The initial investment varies, but you should consider the long-term savings on energy bills.
• Carbon Footprint: You can significantly reduce household emissions by utilising solar panels.

Heat Pump Options

Heat pumps offer an alternative to traditional heating systems by utilising outside air or ground sources to heat the home.

• Air Source Heat Pumps: These units extract warmth from the outside air to heat homes and usually need less room compared to ground source alternatives.
  • Efficiency: Capable of functioning efficiently in cooler temperatures, they are better suited to temperate climates.
• Ground Source Heat Pumps: These require a more significant outlay initially due to underground pipework, yet they offer excellent efficiency in both warming and cooling homes.
• • Investment: The installation costs are higher than air source pumps, but the system may yield substantial savings over time.

Both types of heat pumps are key components in moving towards a net zero home by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and depending on renewable sources for heating requirements.

Practical Energy-Saving Tips

 

Creating an energy-efficient home involves smart operation of appliances and key adjustments to reduce energy consumption.

Smart Usage of Electrical Appliances

It is worth considering the efficiency of electrical appliances. To save energy, selecting appliances with a high energy-efficiency rating is crucial. Moreover, usage habits make a significant difference—turning off appliances when not in use, such as lights and televisions, prevents unnecessary power wastage. For instance:

• Television: Choose a smaller, energy-efficient screen rather than the largest available size.
• Dishwashers: Only run full loads and use the eco setting if available.
• Kettles: Boil only the amount of water needed.

Reducing Water Heating Costs

Heating water for showers and other domestic uses can be a substantial energy cost. Shifting to a more energy-conscious approach can lead to meaningful savings. Here, specific actions can make a real difference:

• Showers: Installing an energy-efficient showerhead reduces the amount of hot water and energy used.
• Thermostat: Lowering the water thermostat setting by just a small amount can significantly impact energy bills.

By paying attention to these practices, you can contribute to a more energy-efficient home environment.

Grants, Funding and Support for Improvements

 

Households can access various grants designed to support the transition to an energy-efficient living space. These financial aids can significantly offset installation costs and optimise home energy usage.

We have outlined the available insulation grants here.

Long-Term Considerations

 

When improving a home’s energy efficiency, it’s crucial to consider immediate changes and lay a foundation for future enhancements. Focusing on long-term plans ensures that current improvement works align with your eventual goals.

Planning for Future Upgrades

You should begin by consulting with an energy efficiency adviser to outline a clear upgrade path. Research is key to understanding the evolving landscape of energy-efficient technology and materials. They should:

• Assess the current state of their home.
• Identify potential areas for upgrades that align with their long-term energy goals.
• Examine various options and technologies that may become viable in the next ten years.

It is worth being aware of the risks associated with different upgrades and weigh these against long-term benefits. It is often more cost-effective to plan for a series of gradual improvements rather than a single, extensive refurbishment.

Evaluating Home Improvement Impact

Understanding how different home improvements can impact their property’s energy efficiency is important.

• Consider the longevity and efficacy of new heating systems like heat pumps, which can provide sustainable energy savings.
• Evaluate the insulation of the property’s envelope, including walls, roofing, and windows, to ensure it is conducive to an efficient retrofit.
• Reflect on the cost-effectiveness of each improvement.

By carefully considering each improvement within the context of a long-term strategy, you can make informed decisions that will benefit the property’s environmental efficacy and value over time.

Usher Insulations is an environmentally aware company, and we constantly stay up to date with the latest advancements in green energy and solutions. As fuel costs continue to rise and climate change continues to get worse, there are numerous benefits to reducing your carbon footprint.

Our team of specialists offers a wide range of heating solutions that will keep your home warm and compatible and increase your energy efficiency.

For more information on Usher Insulations energy saving solutions, contact a member of our team today at 018201921 or send an email to [email protected]