Summer Home Improvements That Cut Winter Energy Bills

Energy bills are on everyone’s mind but particularly when winter rolls around. With some summer home improvements, you can cut your winter energy bills and save some money. 

Let’s take a look at what you can do over the summer months to make the wintertime less expensive. 

 

New Windows

Replacing your single-glazed windows with double or triple-glazing or updating your old double-glazing will help cut your winter energy bills. Doing this in summer means your house should remain relatively warm while the old windows are removed and replaced. 

New windows will lower your household energy costs and reduce condensation build-up inside while providing sound insulation from external noise. 

The costs will vary depending on the material and style of the windows. uPVC windows are the least expensive with hardwood framed windows being in the higher price bracket. 

 

Cavity Wall Insulation

Approximately 33% of heating is lost through uninsulated walls. Installing cavity wall insulation will save energy and reduce your heating costs. The majority of homes built after 1990 will have cavity insulation but older homes may not. 

It’s possible to retrofit cavity wall insulation by using professional installers. They drill small holes into the outside walls at approximately one-metre intervals and blow insulation into the cavity walls. 

The cost of the insulation varies according to the size of the property but you should be able to recoup the cost through reduced energy bills over 3-5 years. 

 

Underfloor Heating

A more energy-efficient heating method for your home, underfloor heating can help you reduce your winter energy bills. It is a system best put in place during initial construction, loft conversion or extension build but it can also be done retrospectively in any room. 

There are two systems, one uses water-filled pipes heated by your boiler and the other uses electric heating mats. The initial outlay will depend on the extent of the work and which method you choose but will be offset by the savings in energy over the following years.

 

Heat Pump

Air and ground source heat pumps are a growing energy-efficient replacement for gas and electric boilers. While the installation costs are relatively high there are government subsidies available for many homeowners. 

These pumps are best used with underfloor heating as the temperatures attained are not as high as those from a boiler. Your home should also be well insulated to gain maximum benefit from this heating source. 

With gas boilers being phased out many people are looking to future-proof their homes with heat pumps. 

 

Efficient Appliances

One of the cheapest ways to cut your energy bills is to replace your appliances with more energy-efficient ones when they are at the end of their life or when you want to upgrade. Look for deals at the end of summer when many new models of appliances are released. 

Fridge freezers, dishwashers, and tumble dryers are some of the highest energy users in your home so look for more energy-efficient models to replace them. 

New windows, cavity wall insulation, underfloor heating, efficient appliances and a heat pump are all summer home improvements that cut winter energy bills. 

Actioning some of these improvements will help make your home more comfortable and reduce your household costs over the winter and throughout the whole year.