How to make your home more energy efficient

Making the following upgrades to your home could make it more energy efficient:

• Insulating your walls, roof and flooring could help regulate airflow in your home, making it cooler in the summertime and reducing heat loss in the winter. In fact, your home could lose up to 40% of its heat in the cooler months and gain 87% of it during the warmer months through its windows.¹ Double glazing your windows and external doors (and skylights) may also protect your home against more extreme weather conditions.
• Draught proofing can be achieved by putting weather stripping on doors and windows and sealing (or caulking) gaps in your walls. This can help keep warm air in your home in the winter, prevent hot air from entering in the summer and thus potentially help your heaters and air conditioners work more efficiently.
• LED light bulbs last considerably longer and use less energy than halogen and incandescent bulbs.

When it comes to appliances, energy star ratings can inform you on which household items are more energy efficient. It’s also worth considering the following:

• Refrigerators typically make up around 10% of your energy bills.¹ It’s recommended to set your fridge at around 3 to 4 degrees and your freezer between -15 to -18 degrees.²
• Dishwashers with a high energy rating and water efficiency rating will generally cost less to run. Keep in mind that these are two different ways of rating the appliance.
• Front loader washing machines use less water and energy than top loaders. Washing your clothes with cold water could also reduce your energy costs.

What you use to control the temperature and power consumption of your home and appliances will have a significant impact on whether your home is energy efficient.

• Air conditioner and thermostat settings make a difference, as one degree could increase your usage by 5-10%.³ The recommended settings for winter are 18-20 degrees and 25-27 degrees in summer.
• Ceiling and portable fans use less energy than air conditioning units and circulate air through your home. Consider using them instead of your air conditioner when the heat isn’t as extreme.
• Solar panels and hot water systems could help reduce your household’s energy consumption. It’s also recommended to adjust your water temperature so it’s not more than 50 degrees to reduce potential scaldings.⁴ While the upfront expenses for installing these renewable energy options are significant, you could save on your overall energy use and running costs in the long run. Plus, there may be government incentives for installing solar energy in your home. Solar hot water systems could also reduce your reliance on electricity and gas.