With the cost of living squeezing many households the idea of affordable home improvements may be far from our minds. But many improvements can help you save money in the medium to long term and most don’t cost the earth.
Let’s look at how you can get the most out of your budget with these 10 affordable home improvements.
Table of Contents
1. Double Glazing
Heating your home can be one of the most significant contributors to your household bills. Installing double glazing will make your property more energy efficient by reducing heat loss through the windows which can be as much as 18%.
If double glazing is beyond your budget consider secondary glazing and heavier curtains.
2. Boiler Service
Having an annual service of your boiler will keep it in good working order and highlight any potential problems before they cause a breakdown. It will also save you money on your gas bills.
By ensuring that your boiler is working efficiently you won’t be wasting money on excess energy and it reassures you that your boiler is safe.
3. Power Flush
With your newly serviced boiler, it is a good idea to make sure that your radiators are working at optimum levels. Efficient radiators use less energy to heat a room so the power flush cost will be recouped through reduced energy being consumed.
4. Draught-proofing
Draught-proofing your home will lower your energy bills. By keeping cold air out and warm air in the house, you will need to use your heating less which will save you money. Block up gaps in floorboards, around windows and doors and any open chimneys not being used.
5. Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat will show you your energy consumption in real time allowing you to make any adjustments to reduce costs. Some models will adjust automatically by learning from your previous behaviour.
Used in conjunction with your boiler timer or programmer you may be able to lower the amount of energy you are using.
6. Loft Insulation
A simple way to shrink your household bills is to insulate your loft. Heat rises and will escape from your home through the roof if there is inadequate or zero insulation. Up to 25% of the heat generated in your house will be lost through an uninsulated roof.
7. Insulate Hot Water Pipes & Tank
By insulating your hot water tank and pipes you will spend less money heating your hot water and it will stay hot for longer. Insulating a hot water cylinder can reduce heat loss by up to 75% and save you money on your energy bills.
8. Change Showerhead
Exchanging your rainwater showerhead for a regulated or aerated model will reduce the amount of water that you are using and save you money on your water bill. These showerheads don’t reduce the strength of the flow but are simply more efficient.
9. Switch to LED Bulbs
Lighting accounts for around 11% of your electricity consumption so switching from regular light bulbs to LED bulbs will lower your bill. There is no loss of quality of light from these bulbs and they also reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
10. Rainwater Harvesting
Shrinking your bills is not confined to just your home but also applies to your garden. By installing a rainwater harvesting system you can cut the amount of water you use to hydrate your plants and recycle rainwater instead. You can also use it to wash your car or windows.
Armed with these 10 affordable home improvements you are now well-equipped to begin saving money by reducing your household bills. Don’t wait, start today!
