8 home thermal efficiency tips to suit all budgets

With the UK government recently pledging to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, homeowners across the UK have been thinking of ways to make their homes more thermally efficient, lowering their emissions and saving money in the process. So, as experts in thermal technologies, we’ve compiled 9 home thermal efficiency tips to suit all budgets.

1. Lay some rugs – £

Laying rugs around the home is a quick and cost-effective solution for trapping more heat and warming interiors. A pricier but more effective thermal efficiency measure would be to lay carpet instead, especially over any exposed wooden floors.

2. Turn the thermostat down a degree – free

If your central heating system is adjusted by a thermostat, simply lowering it by a single degree can make your home thermally efficient and save you considerable sums on your energy bill.

3. Upgrade your glazing – £££

Old glazing –especially single glazing – is a major culprit for heat loss in the home. And whilst upgrading the windows and doors on your home to more modern, energy-efficient alternatives is one of the more expensive measures for improving efficiency, it can have a hugely positive impact on a property’s thermal performance.

For example, according to the Energy Saving Trust, swapping out all the windows on a single glazed detached home for ‘A’ rated double glazing can save between £130-£175 a year on energy bills.

Did you know that an astounding 94% of heat loss through a window occurs at the edge of the glass? The usual reason why this happens is because conductive aluminium spacer bars in early double glazing sit along the edge of the glass.

However, our warm edge Super Spacer® bars are more than 950 times less conductive than the typical aluminium spacer. So, having them installed can reduce your window’s U value by up to 0.2 W/m²k, which can dramatically reduce how much energy you use.

If you’re considering upgrading your windows, you should consider having windows that are fitted with TruFit insulation tape. This long-lasting, quick to install insulation tape provides an effective thermal barrier, retaining 23% more heat on average compared to windows that are installed via traditional methods.

4. Insulate your loft – £-££

Homes without loft insulation can lose up to a quarter of the heat through the roof. However, provided it’s easy to get into your roof space, you have no issues with damp or condensation, your loft joists are easily spaced, and you can spare the time, you can insulate your loft yourself.

Doing it yourself will save money on installation costs and can save detached homes up to £240 a year on energy bills. If you have a flat roof, however, we recommend you pay a professional to insulate your loft for you.

5. Draught proof your windows and doors – £

It’s common for there to be gaps present around windows and doors, and these allow heat to escape out the home and cold air to seep in. But fortunately, there are ways that you can draught-proof them both and improve levels of warmth and energy efficiency in the home:

For windows, self-adhesive foam strips are cost-effective and easy to install. However, for a longer-lasting but slightly more expensive solution, there are metal or plastic strips with brushes or wipers attached.

For doors, you might consider a draught excluder for the gap at the bottom of the door and foam, brush or wiper strips for the gaps around the edges. You can also get keyhole covers and letterbox flaps to draught-proof these areas.

6. Fit some radiator boosters – £-££

Amazingly, radiators only radiate about 20% of their heat, with the rest of it being lost through the roof, walls or nearby windows. However, you can get radiator boosters, which sit on top of the radiator and redirect the warm air they generate into the room via a fan. This makes rooms heat up quicker, meaning you can run the boiler for less time and at a lower heat. Basic models cost around £25 but can save between £70-£140 a year on energy bills.

7. Hang some thick/thermal curtains – £

Windows are a prime spot for heat to escape the home, especially in homes with single glazing. But, you can offset the heat loss by hanging some thick or thermal curtains. If you’d rather keep your current curtains, there are thermal linings that you can attach to them to reduce heat loss instead.

8. Invest in a new boiler – £££

Although a new boiler is not cheap, it is one of the most effective measures for improving thermal efficiency in the home. The Energy Savings Trust estimates that, by upgrading to an A-rated boiler with a modern set of heating controls, you can save up to 30% on your heating bill – around £340 a year on average.

If you’re interested in learning more about Edgetech products and how they can improve the thermal efficiency of your home, give us a call 02476 639931 or contact us online.

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