Create A Home That Is Energy Efficient

While it's certainly possible — even advisable — to plan for the long term and think about "deep" improvements such as replacing your heating and cooling appliances or installing alternative energy systems, there are plenty of simple changes you can make that are low-cost and even no cost.

Big changes that can bring big improvements include the installation of different and greener ways to generate heat or power. These can include installing solar panels. While this is a big step and the expense can be daunting, solar panels can be a great investment for a home. They pay for themselves quite rapidly in terms of energy savings. Depending on your situation, you may even be able to profit from your solar power installation by selling your extra energy back to the electricity company. Most solar panel installations are mounted on the roof. This is not always possible; with older or less well-constructed buildings, the roof my be too weak to support the weight of solar panels. An alternative is a ground-mounted system.

Biomass heating systems can be a good choice especially if you live in an area where wood or plant waste is plentiful. These systems use a range of different technologies, from burning wood pellets to utilising the heat from decomposing plant waste to warm a home or heat water. Biomass heating has the advantage of using a renewable resource.

If a major investment in green technology isn't on the cards, there are still plenty of things you can do to make your home more efficient. Insulation is crucial. Indoors, it's important to fit insulation in the areas where heat loss is likely to be greatest: your loft, especially around the entry hatch, is the first place to take care of. Wrapping your boiler in an insulating jacket and lagging your pipes not only saves energy but can prevent expensive disasters from frozen pipes. Even fitting draught-excluder can make a difference.

Other simple steps you can take to improve efficiency include turning off all your appliances when they aren't in use and making sure doors and windows are firmly closed when you have the heating on. These steps don't just save you money — they help the environment too.