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Prioritizing Improvements To Slash Your Carbon Footprint And Energy Bill

Shutterstock Licensed Photo - By Brian A Jackson

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Homeowners around the world are more concerned about helping the environment than ever. Unfortunately, many of them don’t know where to start. They often make investments with poor payoffs, both in terms of lowering their energy bills or carbon footprint. The good news is that you can help the environment more by being strategic.

Have you ever wondered what you can do to make your home more environmentally friendly? If you are worried about the cost of making the necessary home improvements, you should realize that they can also help you minimize your energy bills.

You might be surprised to learn that most areas of your home have energy-saving potential. If you make the right changes, then you can help the environment and cut costs at the same time! Although it makes sense to consider every possible solution for improving household energy efficiency, you might not have the time or money to make every possible improvement. This means that you need to prioritize if you want to help the environment and trim your energy bill.

Here are some changes you can make to seriously cut energy costs and significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

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Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to make your home an energy-saving environment so that you can lower your monthly bills and do your bit for the planet.

Replace Your Boiler

If your boiler is more than 10 years old, then now is probably the right time to get yourself an upgrade. Switching from an old boiler to a new condensing boiler can actually save you hundreds of pounds a year on your heating bills. Yes, boilers can be expensive to replace, but a new energy-efficient boiler will pay for itself in just a few years and be more economical in the long run.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, your home heating accounts for around 55% of your yearly energy bill costs. That’s massive! The good news is that the majority of new condensing boilers are A-rated for efficiency and they’re compatible with different types of energy-saving controls and accessories to boost efficiency levels.

Just be aware that boiler replacement and installation costs can vary greatly, so make sure you get quotes from at least three reputable companies before parting with your hard earned cash.

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Insulate Your Loft

Insulating your loft is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss and cut those energy bills. If your loft isn’t insulated, you might be surprised to learn that around a third of the heat you pay for is escaping through your roof. Thankfully, loft insulation is fairly simple to install yourself, but you may prefer to call in a professional installer if you lack DIY confidence.

If your loft is already insulated, you should check that you have the recommended depth installed as this has increased over the years. The recommended thickness for glass or mineral wool loft insulation is currently 270mm, so may find that you need a top-up.

Upgrade Your Doors

Got old or uninsulated exterior doors? Then replacing them might be a good investment as they could be leaking both air and heat. Upgrading your front door or back door (or both) to a more thermally efficient solution will not only help to reduce the amount of energy you waste but also keep your home more comfortable.

Newer exterior door models tend to be better insulated to ensure there’s no energy wastage. The most energy efficient exterior doors come with an inner layer of insulating foam for extra insulation. Composite doors are the most popular option because they are made up of many different materials, such as uPVC, timber, glass reinforced plastic and insulating foam to improve strength, stability and energy efficiency.

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Making the Right Improvements Makes All the Difference in the Fight Against Climate Change

You need to make the right choices with home improvements to help the environment and your own financial bottom line. Spending a little money now could save you heaps of cash on your energy bills over the coming years. Not only that, but you’ll also make your home a more comfortable place to live and reduce your impact on the environment. Making your home more energy efficient is ultimately a win-win!

Audrey Taylor was born in San Francisco, and moved to Adelaide at the age of five. Marketer researcher and social media manager on hold, full - time mommy of a cheerful two-year-old. Graduated from Queensford college, worked in a couple of marketing agencies across Australia, eager to learn more about business and share her experiences. Traveled across Europe. Her hobbies include: home decor, fashion, travel, music, old movies.

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