An energy MOT for your home

The cost of living crisis needs no introduction – it’s a hot topic at the forefront of our minds which will affect all of us as we head into the colder, darker season.

When even the chair of the Climate Change Committee admits that he cannot afford to buy a heat pump, one wonders how we’ll all cope with significantly higher gas, oil and electricity costs come October 2022. Britain has some of the oldest, leakiest housing stock in the world which means our buildings tend to be too hot in summer and too cold in winter.

Here at Cube we’re determined to do our bit to help our communities in light of soaring energy bills, so we’ve put together a big list of simple everyday actions you can take as well as some bigger energy-saving suggestions for your home that’ll last for many winters to come.

EVERY DAY ACTIONS:

Start saving in the kitchen…  

Farewell frost – frozen, iced up fridge freezers use more power than well maintained ones, so regularly defrost your fridge freezer to ensure it doesn’t use energy unnecessarily.

Dusting off – debris and dust at the back of our fridges and freezers can increase their power consumption. Give them a good clean every now and again so that they’ll stay cool and use less energy.

Pan size & lids matter – choosing the right sized pan when cooking can save energy, and using lids will heat your food faster. 

Go easy on your kettle – descaling it regularly and only boiling as much water as you need will save up to a third of energy and around £50 a year, claims British Gas.

Microwave it – it’s quicker than using the oven or stove, and hence less energy-consuming if you turn it off after you’ve used it.

Kitchen appliance ace – if you’re not in a rush when cooking, you’re onto a winner with a slow cooker as they’re one of the most energy-efficient kitchen appliances on the market.

Saving in the utility room…

Back to the bowl – EDF reckons you could save £25 per year by filling up a washing-up bowl with water rather than letting the hot tap run continuously.

Max out your dishwasher – only run it on an ECO setting and when it’s full! A cycle less every week could save you £14 a year according EDF.

Laundry loads – more is more! Fewer but fuller wash loads are more energy efficient

Give your tumble dryer a rest – using it three times a week could account for up to £200 off your annual bills. Warmer months are ideal for drying your washing outside (fresh outdoor smell included). When you dry indoors, ensure the room is well ventilated and ideally use a heated clothing rack or ceiling-mounted contraption that hangs high up.

Saving in the bathroom…

Install a water meter – it could help you better track your usage and in turn save money and water.

Consult with a water-saving expert – get tips on optimal water usage by arranging an in-home consultation. Some water companies also offer water-saving devices and it’s worth chatting to yours, we think!

Sort drips & leaks – dripping taps can waste as much as 5,500 litres of water per year, Water UK estimates. Don’t let yours contribute to it.

Low-flow showerheads – an easy way to reduce your gas and water bill! Energy Savings Trust reckons a 4-person household could save up to £38 on their gas and £53 on their metered water bill each year. 

Change your home heating habits

Boost your boiler – the older your boiler, the more likely a new one will generate efficiency and help soften your monthly bills. The Energy Savings Trust estimates annual savings of up to £580 could be achieved. 

Adjust your thermostat – set a timer, so your heating only comes on when you need it to and turn it down by one degree. That little change could save you £80 a year according to EDF.

Empty rooms should chill – manage the temperature in each room with individual radiator thermostats, leaving empty or less used rooms at a lower temperature. Always on the move? Smart thermometers allow you to control heating settings remotely from your mobile phone.

Shut the doors, please – doors between adjoining rooms are best kept shut to stop the heat from escaping.

One hour heating cap – using your heating just one hour less each day adds to savings over time, says EDF.

Bleed your radiators – they’ll thank you for it by running more efficiently and heating up more quickly.

Lower the water temperature – a combi boiler is likely to be set to 80 degrees although 65 degrees is often sufficient. Turning the water temperature down means the water is still warm enough for your baths or showers but you’re not needlessly throwing money into the water.

Hang onto the heat – decrease heat loss by up to 17% by shutting curtains (not covering radiators) and blinds in the evening. Thermal blinds are also an excellent energy efficient choice all year round and can be fitted without drilling.

Hacks for the whole house

Track your energy usage – would you like to see your energy usage in pounds and pence to gain more control? A smart meter can come in handy to lower your bills and carbon footprint although not everyone is convinced by their accuracy. Also, experts now warn that smart meters might be switched off remotely if consumers don’t pay their bills on time, leaving them unable to track electricity and gas usage.

Opt for A-rated appliances – before your fridge, oven or washing machine is at the end of its lifespan, be sure to familiarise yourself with the new ‘A to G’ energy rating system that came into force earlier this year. Reasonably efficient appliances are now rated ‘D’ and very few models make the ‘B’ or ‘A’ categories which tend to be much more expensive.

Switch to LED – keep the lights on for less by switching from halogen to LED bulbs. It’s a no brainer when you’re comparing the two: LEDs could save you as much as £500 a year.

Lights off – against all myths, you should switch the lights off every time you leave a room to cash in circa £14 a year that you could either save or put towards other things.

No more standby – the average UK home unknowingly pays £35 for not switching off appliances like their TV at the mains. That simple switch can make all the difference in your wallet.

Cheeky charge elsewhere – it’d be rude not to charge your device for free when you’re out and about, on a train, at work or at the gym. 

Chargers unplugged, please – we’re all guilty of it: laptops and phones are unnecessarily over-charging. Try and get into the habit of unplugging your device as soon as it’s fully charged. Your battery life will increase and your electricity bill could go down by as much as £60 a year.

Watch “pay less o’clock” – although there are no exact details published yet, the National Grid plans to encourage everyone to use electricity at off-peak times. Discounts could be given for washing clothes, slow cooking or charging electric cars at select times. Watch this space!

PROJECTS FOR THE PROS:

Window upgrade – installing double or triple-glazing is the thermally efficient answer to nasty draughts that’d otherwise blow money out of your window.

Knock your old front door – a new and thermally efficient front door will soon start paying for itself by keeping heat inside and draughts out. 

Top up your loft insulation – according to the Energy Savings Trust, 25% of heat, worth roughly £580 a year, is literally going through the roof. Chat to us to get your loft properly insulated without sacrificing precious attic storage space.

Wrap up your walls – up to a third of heat can be lost through walls, and although insulating them is more costly than loft insulation it can deliver big savings in the long run; you may even be able to take advantage of incentive schemes. If yours is one of the 19.4 million British homes with cavity-walls, an insulation upgrade is definitely on the cards. Injecting the insulation from the outside into the cavity can usually be done in a day. Clever use of materials helps trap warm air, as well as prevent air from circulating. You may find, it’s a good idea to go a bit bigger and combine insulation work with say a refurbishment project to achieve a better quotation.

Homemade energy – ever considered generating your own energy? Having solar electricity panels installed on your roof is a great way to soak up some free energy and potentially sell back any excess power to an energy supplier. The other great news is that panels last about 25 years and they can now pay themselves off, through energy generation, in about four instead of 11 years from installation.

To heat pump or not to heat pump? 
The Government’s offer to help households in England and Wales switch from inefficient gas boilers to heat pumps with a £5k grant seems very appealing to many, however it may not create your desired savings. The reasons are potential extra costs incurred by having to upgrade your home’s radiators, installing a hot water storage tank or insufficient insulation all resulting in an investment that’ll take years to recover. Also, it’s worth noting that not every home is eligible for the “Boiler Upgrade Scheme”, so a bit more research won’t go amiss.

We appreciate this is a long read but hopefully there’s something in here for everyone to help weather rising prices and the energy crisis in the coming months.

Cube is also on hand to help you implement ideas as part of wider home improvement projects. We’re here for you with a bespoke, personal end-to-end service that is driven by creative ideas and energy efficient solutions to improve and suit your home:

E: space@cubelofts.co.uk 
T: 020 8432 9676