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Is Your Home As Energy Efficient As It Needs To Be?
It’s been a very mixed summer so far in terms of the weather. We’ve had some scorching hot days and times when it’s felt more like winter!
This wintry-like weather is a reminder to us all that colder conditions will soon be the norm and the one place you really don’t want to feel the cold in winter is in your home.
Whether you will or you won’t will much depend on how energy efficient your home is.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will tell you how your home ranks for energy efficiency, labelling it from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient).
You must have an EPC to be able to sell or rent your home. We highly recommend that you find a local accredited Domestic Energy Assessor here to conduct an energy audit at your home and issue an EPC if you don’t currently have one.
To achieve an energy rating at the right end of the energy efficiency scale, rather than the wrong end, take these energy efficient measures:
Get double or triple glazed windows and doors fitted
We’re told that around 25% of heat lost from homes escapes through poor insulating windows and doors.
There will be far less heat lost from your windows and doors after upgrading to double or triple glazed windows and doors. Our UPVC Extreme Windows are one of the most energy efficient, and best, replacement window systems available, being A+ energy rated as standard, endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust and Secured by Design. The doors we sell are also energy-saving and built with security in mind.
Once they’re in, you can anticipate new double or triple glazed windows and doors saving you around £170 per year on energy bills.
Have an eco-friendly boiler installed
When buying a new boiler, take notice of each boiler’s (Energy related Products Directive) rating which symbolises how energy efficient the boiler is – most modern boilers have an A rating.
Old-style boilers don’t perform anywhere near as well, and unless they are serviced annually, they have more of a tendency to break down than present-day eco-friendly boilers.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that swapping an old boiler for an A-rated boiler can result in a £340 annual saving. You will therefore quickly recoup the money spent on a new boiler.
Put insulation in your loft
It’s not just your windows and doors that could be letting out heat. Your roof may be responsible for it too, with an average of 25% of heat loss occurring through uninsulated roofs.
Fitting insulation in your loft, attic or roof space won’t cost much (as little as £150) and will minimise future heat loss. It’s simple to fit if you fancy trying to install it yourself, or get your local approved insulation installer on the case – go to the National Insulation Association website to find them.
Good quality loft insulation that’s well-fitted can last for 40 years or more.
Energy efficient windows and doors are a speciality of Amber Home Improvements. Click here to get a FREE no obligation quote for any of our replacement window or door styles.