When we’re looking for ways to save money, we might not think of our home as a great way to make our money go further, but this is where having an understanding of what you can do to your home that will pay off in the long run can make a big difference. Let’s show you some simple ways to upgrade your home so you can see your money go further.
Solar Panels
Yes, it is an investment upfront, but you can potentially save up to £480 per year on your utility bills, but you can also find other ways to make sure your solar energy goes further, for example, investing in solar and battery systems so you can effectively store excess energy in a battery that you can use to power an appliance or your home during night time. Depending on where you live, there are also schemes where you can get paid for the electricity you generate but don’t use yourself.
Insulation
It is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your property, but it will save you a lot on your energy bills. For example, insulation can help you save around 20% to 25% on your overall energy bills. But while people talk about insulating their property as an amazing way to save money, it is an investment upfront, and depending on where you live, you could be eligible for a government grant to upgrade your insulation, for example, the UK’s Insulation Grants Scheme, which is for homes that have an EPC rating of D or lower.
Upgrading Old Appliances
Any type of old appliance, whether it’s your washing machine or your light bulbs, can be upgraded to energy-efficient ones. LED bulbs can use up to 90% less energy than conventional bulbs and are great value in the long run. Lots of people don’t necessarily think about upgrading their light bulbs because it doesn’t enter their minds, but these, and if you have the money, upgrading your appliances like your washing machine and refrigerator to more energy-efficient models, will work wonders in the long run.
Heating Controls
So many of us set our heating to a specific level and leave it on throughout the year, but if you can install heating controls, you could save money on your heating bills but also lower those carbon emissions. Your thermostat should be between 18 degrees C and 21 degrees C, and while turning your thermostat down by one degree can save around £140 per year, a smart thermostat will ensure that you don’t go cold in an attempt to save a few pennies.
Install A Heat Pump
A low-carbon heat pump is an attractive sustainable option for heating and can cost a pretty penny to install, but you will see a massive drop in your carbon footprint in the long run.
It is so important for us to make our money go further these days, and if you are planning on living in a property for the long haul, start thinking about those things that can make your money go further for a number of decades from now.
