How to Cut Your Energy Bills with a Home Energy Audit

What is a Home Energy Audit?

A home energy audit is like a health check-up for your house. It helps you spot where you're losing energy and money. By finding these problem areas, you can make changes to save on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Why Should You Do a Home Energy Audit?

There are lots of good reasons to do an energy audit:

1. Save money: You could cut your energy bills by up to 30% with the right changes.
2. Stay comfy: Fixing draughts and improving insulation can make your home cosier.
3. Help the planet: Using less energy means lower carbon emissions.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average UK household could save £300 a year by being more energy efficient.

How to Do Your Own Energy Audit

You don't need to be an expert to start saving energy. Here's how to do a simple DIY home energy audit yourself:

Check Your Insulation

Good insulation is key to keeping your home warm and your bills low.

1. Look in your loft: You should have at least 270mm of insulation.
2. Check your walls: If your home was built after 1920, it might have cavity walls that can be insulated.

Tip: Adding loft insulation could save you up to £250 a year on your energy bills.

Hunt for Draughts

Cold air sneaking in means warm air (and money) sneaking out.

1. Check around windows and doors for draughts.
2. Look for gaps around pipes and cables.
3. Don't forget the letterbox and cat flap!

Use a candle or incense stick to spot air movement. If the smoke moves, you've found a draught.

Look at Your Heating

Heating usually makes up about half of your energy bill, so it's worth getting right.

1. Check your boiler: Is it more than 15 years old? A new, efficient boiler could save you up to £300 a year.
2. Look at your controls: A smart thermostat could cut your heating bills by up to £75 a year.
3. Bleed your radiators: This helps them work more efficiently.

Tip: Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C could save you £80 a year.

Check Your Lighting

Lighting makes up about 15% of a typical electricity bill.

1. Count how many old-style bulbs you have.
2. Think about where you could use LED bulbs instead.

Switching to LED bulbs could save you £40 per year on your energy bills.

Look at Your Appliances

Old or inefficient appliances can be energy guzzlers.

1. Check the energy rating of your fridge, washing machine, and other big appliances.
2. See how often you use each appliance and if you're using them efficiently.

Tip: A new A+++ rated fridge freezer could save you £65 a year compared to an old A+ model.

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When to Get a Professional Energy Audit

Sometimes, it's worth calling in the experts. A professional energy auditor can:

1. Use special tools like thermal cameras to spot hidden heat loss.
2. Give you a detailed report on your home's energy use.
3. Offer expert advice on the best improvements for your home.

Consider a professional audit if:

• You're planning major home improvements
• Your energy bills are unusually high
• You're not sure where to start with energy saving

Smart Ways to Save Energy

Technology can help you save energy without even thinking about it.

1. Smart meters: These show you exactly how much energy you're using in real-time.
2. Smart thermostats: Control your heating from your phone and learn your habits to save energy.
3. Smart plugs: Turn off standby power automatically when you're not using appliances.

How Can I Improve My Home's Energy Efficiency?

Improving your home's energy efficiency is a great way to reduce your energy consumption and lower your bills. Here are some key areas to focus on:

1. Insulation: Proper insulation can significantly reduce heat loss. Consider different types of insulation, including spray foam insulation for hard-to-reach areas.
2. Heating controls: Install smart thermostats and heating controls to manage your energy usage more effectively.
3. Hot water efficiency: Insulate your hot water tank and hot water cylinder with a cylinder jacket to reduce heat loss.
4. Boiler efficiency: Check your boiler flow temperature. Lowering it can improve efficiency, especially for combi boilers.
5. Electrical appliances: Use energy-efficient appliances and remember to turn off standby mode when not in use.

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What Energy Efficiency Measures Are Best for Social Housing?

Social housing presents unique opportunities for energy efficiency upgrades:

1. Communal heating systems: These can be more efficient than individual boilers.
2. Large-scale insulation projects: Cavity wall and loft insulation can be implemented across multiple properties.
3. Energy-efficient lighting in communal areas: LED bulbs can significantly reduce electricity consumption.
4. Smart meters: These help residents monitor and manage their energy usage.

How Does an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Relate to My Energy Audit?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an important tool in understanding your home's energy efficiency:

1. It rates your home's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
2. The EPC provides recommendations for improvements, which can guide your energy audit.
3. A good EPC rating can increase your property's value and appeal to potential buyers or renters.

What Are the Energy Efficiency Considerations in Northern Ireland and Great Britain?

Energy efficiency measures can vary slightly between regions:

1. Northern Ireland: The Affordable Warmth Scheme offers grants for energy efficiency improvements.
2. Great Britain: The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme provides support for energy-saving measures.
3. All regions: The Energy Savings Trust offers advice tailored to your location.

How Can I Reduce My Hot Water Costs?

Hot water can be a significant contributor to energy costs. Here's how to reduce usage:

1. Insulate your hot water tank and pipes to reduce heat loss.
2. Consider installing a hot water cylinder jacket, which can save you £35 a year on bills.
3. Fix dripping taps, as they can waste a surprising amount of hot water.
4. Use water-efficient shower heads to reduce hot water usage without compromising comfort.

Home Energy Audit FAQs

How much can I save with an energy audit?

The average UK household could save up to £300 a year by making energy-efficient improvements found in an audit.

Do I need special tools for a DIY energy audit?

Basic tools like a torch, candle, and notepad are enough to start. For a more detailed audit, you might want an infrared thermometer.

What are the most common energy-wasters in homes?

Poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, and old appliances are often the biggest culprits for high energy use.

How often should I do an energy audit?

It's a good idea to do a basic check once a year, especially before winter.

Can renters do energy audits?

Yes! While you might not be able to make big changes, you can still find ways to save energy and talk to your landlord about improvements.

How does the cost of living crisis impact energy efficiency?

With the high cost of living, energy efficiency measures are more important than ever. Small changes like using LED light bulbs and managing standby mode can add up to significant savings.

Are electric vehicles part of home energy efficiency?

While not directly related to home energy, electric vehicles can be part of an overall energy-efficient lifestyle. Consider how home charging might impact your energy usage.

How can I reduce the energy consumption of my tumble dryer?

Tumble dryers are energy-intensive appliances. Use it less by air-drying when possible, and choose a model with a good energy rating if you're buying a new one.