Summer is the perfect time to reduce your energy usage and boost your home’s efficiency. With longer days and warmer temperatures, your home needs less artificial light and heating but there are still key opportunities to cut costs and stay cool. Making these small changes now can lead to lasting reductions in energy use and noticeable savings on your bills.
Optimise Your Home’s Insulation
Proper insulation isn’t just for winter; it’s crucial for summer comfort too. Effective insulation slows down heat transfer, keeping your home cooler and reducing the need for air conditioning.
- Loft Insulation: Up to 25% of heat can escape through an uninsulated roof. Installing loft insulation can prevent this loss, leading to significant energy savings.
- Room-in-Roof Insulation: For homes with converted lofts, insulating the walls and ceilings of these spaces can enhance comfort and efficiency.
- Government Support: The Great British Insulation Scheme offers grants to help homeowners improve their insulation, potentially saving £300–£400 annually on energy bills. The ECO4 Scheme allows eligible homes to get free home upgrades including insulation. Find out if you qualify for any of these schemes.
Maximise Natural Light
Take advantage of summer’s extended daylight hours:
- Open curtains and blinds to reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
- Use mirrors and light-coloured walls to reflect sunlight and brighten your space.
- Switch off unused lights especially if you’re still using older incandescent bulbs, which produce more heat than light.
Freshen Up Your Laundry Routine
Summer is ideal for eco-friendly laundry habits:
- Line-dry your clothes outside instead of using a tumble dryer.
- Clean your dryer’s lint trap regularly to keep it efficient when you do use it.
Wash at lower temperatures as modern detergents work just as well in cooler water.
Adopt Smart Energy Habits
Simple behavioral changes can lead to substantial energy savings:
- Use LED Lighting: Replace traditional bulbs with LED alternatives to decrease energy consumption. Did you know that lighting accounts for up to 20% of the average UK electricity bill making every switch-off count.
- Manage ‘Vampire’ Devices: Unplug devices like chargers and standby electronics when not in use to prevent unnecessary energy drain. For some homes, especially those with many electronics, this can account for 9%–16% of total electricity use.
- Adjust Thermostat Settings: Set your thermostat to a comfortable yet efficient temperature, and consider using programmable settings to reduce cooling when you’re not home.
By implementing these steps, you’ll keep your home comfortable, reduce your carbon footprint, and lower your energy bills this summer. Want help making energy-saving upgrades?
Eclipse Energy can guide you through insulation, solar panels, heating, and more!