December 7, 2023 iglues

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Energy Consumption this Winter


The last 2 winters in the UK have been the coldest for a long time and as such many people were caught out. Icy roads were left untreated, cars were stranded in the snow and the country generally came to a virtual standstill. To combat the cold weather, many homeowners turned the central heating to the maximum little realizing that most of the heat was been lost through a poorly home The UK was unprepared last winter for the coldest weather for 100 years, which lead to expensive energy bills and even damage to many of our homes. Here are some quick tips on how to make sure your home is energy efficient and winter-proof ahead of plummeting temperatures. The following ideas will help reduce those expensive energy bills should we experience another winter like the last two. Insulation If your garage is attached to the house invest in an insulated garage doors. The two main types in the UK are insulated roller garage doors that offer a medium level of insulation or for ultra energy efficiency then insulated sectional garage doors are the ideal solution. Check your loft for adequate levels of insulation. There should be around 275 – 300mm of insulation to be effective and could lead to a saving throughout the year of approx 100 – 200. Install cavity wall insulation into older properties.

Many companies offer major discounts through government backed schemes. Install energy efficient windows and doors. Modern systems are very effective at preventing the heat escaping or the cold getting in. Insulate any vulnerable pipes under floorboards or within the garage. The last thing you wanted to be greeted to when you open your electric garage door is a torrent of water. Central Heating If you do not have a modern boiler now may be the ideal time to upgrade. The energy efficiency of modern heating system will reduce gas consumption dramatically therefore reducing your heating bill when the really cold weather comes. For existing boilers remember to get them serviced by a gas engineer to ensure it is running to its maximum efficiency. Drafts and Ventilation Although individually not a major problem, small draughts when added up equate to large draughts and large draughts mean more energy is needed to heat your home. It is therefore essential that all draughts are dealt with in the appropriate manner be it pointing up small gaps in the building’s exterior to installing draught strips to doors. You can even add draught excluders to the bottom of doors as this is always a vulnerable point.

As mentioned above, double glazing is very effective at keeping out the cold, but as they are so well sealed that condensation can build up on them due to the heat differential between the inside and outside of the glass. Other contributing factors such as showers and cooking can also add to this problem so be sure to wipe any condensation away with a towel. To conclude, in order to reduce your energy consumption this winter there are a number of measures available to you so what are you waiting for. Start reducing your bills today!

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