A Guide to Saving Money in Your Home
Saving money in the home is always talked about nowadays but who ever gets round to it? There are many things which we can think of off the top of our heads such as cutting bills and insulating the home better. But surely all this is more hassle than its worth? The answer to that is no. Here are a few helpful money saving tip to help cut the cost of running your home.
• Starting with the most expensive money saving idea is introducing double glazing throughout the house. However although it is a large expense it will pay for itself with the reduction in heating bills, and in time when you come to re-sell the property.
• Low energy light bulbs although more expensive than normal bulbs can still be bought relatively cheaply and last approximately 5 years. They are also eco-friendly which is another benefit to using these.
• Insulating your loft is an excellent way of saving money. The science tells us that heat rises so a lot of warm air is lost through the roof of the house, increasing heating bills. Loft insulation dramatically slows down this process, and in many areas there are grants available for this work.
• Around a third of all heat loss is through the walls so cavity wall insulation is a good idea. Many houses will already have this so it is good to check. Like loft insulation it can be expensive but there may be grants available in your area, however it can save you around £115 a year so quickly pays for itself. Reducing heating bills again helps to cut down on CO2 emissions so it’s helping the environment as well as your pocket.
• Now you have all the insulation installed it will be a good idea to turn down the heating. Reducing the temperature by just 1°C can knock down your bill by about 10%. The ideal temperature for a comfortable living environment is around 19-20°C so if you are a cold person throw on a jumper and start saving money!
• Draught proofing is one of the cheapest ways of saving money and energy. Draught proofing your home means blocking any gaps which are unwanted and let cold air in. You can draught proof DIY for around £100 however if you feel more comfortable with a professional this will cost approximately £200.
• Insulating a hot water tank or buying an immersion heater jacket is another good way to save money. They can be bought in a range of standard sizes for a reasonably cheap price. However if your tank is used to heat an airing cupboard this jacket may not be for you.
If you follow all these helpful money saving ideas you will notice a substantial difference in your heating bill, it will also reduce your carbon footprint, so get economising.