With winter, energy saving usually comes with an increase in energy bills, which many households in the UK have to find a balance between warmth and affordability.
Cold weather means chilly family evenings at home.
Rising fuel costs and the need to reduce carbon emissions necessitate getting your home ready for the cold season.
We exist to help make households warmer and save money in order to live more sustainably by making energy-efficient improvements.
This guide provides a viable winter energy-saving checklist, alongside how the support of the ECO4 scheme can assist in making these necessary upgrades affordable, if not free.
Why Energy Efficiency in Winter Matters
More than 50 percent of the energy used by an average household is attributed to heating in the UK. Without proper insulation or outdated heating systems, homes lose this warmth within a day, and the families are, therefore, forced to pay exorbitant bills just to maintain their comfort. Beyond the financial considerations, these homes are very cold and draughty, thereby increasing the incidence of respiratory diseases and other conditions associated with dampness and mould.
Making a house energy efficient, then, is not just about cutting costs. It is about having a healthier living environment, being cooperative on the UK’s environment front, and providing your family with a warm and comfortable home throughout the chilly season of the year.
Insulating Your Home
Insulation is one of the best means of retarding the loss of heat by actually preventing it from leaving the house. Without insulation, warmth steadily drifts through the ceiling, the walls, and the floors, for which, of course, you are paying to heat that empty outside space. Thus, unless you have absolutely insulated everything up there, loft insulation will make a pretty big difference in your house because there can be about 25 percent of a home’s heat loss through an uninsulated roof. While cavity wall insulation keeps the heat in houses built after the 1920s, generally, the older houses tend to benefit most from internal or external solid wall insulation.
At EcoTarget, we know insulation is usually overlooked, just like everything else, because it involves costs to buy up front. That is why ECO4 support becomes so important. Many homes qualify for free insulation upgrades, which further reduce energy bills, increase comfort, and increase property values.
Closing the Gaps: Draught-Proofing
Even the smallest cracks surrounding doors, windows, and floorboards can allow cold air to penetrate into the home and ruin the work of your heating system. Draught-proofing is a very simple but very effective means of improving warmth. It can be as easy as installing draught excluders under doors, sealing small openings around windows. While these are small changes, they can collectively make a large impact on the comfort.
Heating Systems and Boilers
When it comes to energy efficiency in winter, another factor to consider is your heating system. If your boiler is over 10 years old, it is likely that it is wasting energy and costing you money to run. Getting a professional to service your boiler in the autumn will make sure that it is operating safely and as it should. A service is required, but it may not be enough on its own, so you may need to look at replacing your boiler if it is over 12 years old and beginning to show clear signs of inefficiency.
Through the ECO4 scheme, EcoTarget assists qualifying households in accessing free or highly subsidised boiler replacements and decarbonisation heating upgrades, including renewable options such as air source heat pumps. The installations will reduce your utility bills and make your home and heating more climate-friendly.
Using Heating Controls Wisely
Efficient heating is all about the management of it rather than just the system itself. If you set your thermostat at the lowest comfortable level, usually between 18 and 21 degrees, you will reduce waste. Where possible, use thermostatic radiator valves for more control in the rooms of the house. You will only have to heat the room that you are in. Smart thermostats simply take this to the next level and will learn your routine and adjust heating for you, allowing you to stay warm without costing you more.
Damp, Condensation, and Health
Cold weather tends to amplify issues related to damp and condensation, harming walls and ceilings, as well as your and your family’s health. All it takes is some simple steps like switching on extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, allowing airflow through leaving a gap behind furniture, and trying to maintain a constant temperature inside your property. Much improved insulation can be a more effective prevention against condensation, as the warmer the wall and surfaces are, the less likely damp patches will form.
Making Use of Natural Light
During the winter months, daylight is shorter; however, natural light can be valuable in keeping your home warm. On sunny days, as long as the weather is clear, keep your curtains or blinds open during the day to allow the light and sun to heat up your rooms, and close them again at dusk to keep warmth inside your home. Thermal-lined curtains or drapes work well as an extra layer of insulation, keeping out the cold on frosty winter evenings. These little daily habits will significantly reduce your artificial demand for heating and lighting.
Checking Your EPC and Exploring ECO4 Support
Your winter Energy Saving Performance Certificate (EPC) helps you understand your home’s performance and how efficient it is. You will see where your home is losing energy and what might be improved. This is where the ECO4 scheme comes in. At EcoTarget, we help households apply for support and check eligibility. Based on your circumstances, you could receive free insulation, new heating systems, or new renewable technology. The cost of these improvements would be thousands of pounds, but you can often receive these improvements through ECO4 at no cost to you.
The Long-Term Benefits of a Winter-Ready Home
The benefits of winter-proofing your home last longer than just this winter. Once you make energy-efficient improvements, you will save money for years to come, you will be relatively insulated from energy costs increasing, and you will be providing a healthier, warmer home for you and your family. Your home improvements will also improve the value of your home while aiding the UK in its carbon footprint reduction targets. For many families, the ECO4 program provides access to improvements that are not otherwise possible.
Final Thoughts
Getting your home ready for the winter is not just about keeping warm, but also about reducing expenses, improving health, and helping the environment. By utilising this winter energy saving checklist and checking for assistance through the ECO4 program, you can make your home warmer, more affordable, and more eco-friendly.
At EcoTarget, we believe that every home should have access to these benefits. If you believe your home could qualify for free insulation, heating upgrades, or renewable energy services, the first step is easy: check your eligibility today.
Keep warm, save money, and let EcoTarget help you have the best warm winter yet.