With the cost of living slowly increasing across England and Wales as of early 2021, experts have predicted it to continue until the second half of 2023. As a result, we have seen record-breaking drops in household incomes, which has caused much strain for many homeowners in England and Wales.
Due to this, many homeowners have been searching for alternative ways to increase their income, from starting a side hustle and getting a second job to selling unwanted items and finding ways to reduce their monthly bills. Unbeknownst to some, the latter is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of money leaving your household each month; with just a few changes, you can save money, reduce your carbon footprint, add some value to your property and even keep it warmer.
But how do you go about doing this? Fortunately, we’ve created this article outlining several ways homeowners in England and Wales can improve their homes and make them more energy efficient by changing their energy bills. From finding out if you qualify for solar grants to investing in a smart thermostat – keep reading for more tips.
Invest In A Smart Thermostat
In today’s technology-driven world, it seems like a ‘smart’ version of something is released daily. From smart TVs and smartphones, the technology sector keeps creating innovations to make everyday tasks easier – one recent emergence being smart thermostats
As the name suggests, smart thermostats are valuable pieces of tech that enable you to merge your central heating system with your internet router, allowing you to control your heating system remotely using your mobile phone, computer, or any other internet-enabled device.
Depending on the type of smart thermostat you buy, you can reap several benefits from implementing one into your household. The best smart thermostats on the market can learn your daily routine, save money on energy bills, send alerts, improve air quality, and much more.
Yet, the question of whether you will save money is variable. Whether you will save on your monthly heating bill depends on your habits and daily schedule, so ensure you complete thorough research before committing to the purchase to know it’s the right choice for you (and your bank account!).
Check If You’re Eligible For Grants
Another way you can strive to bring the costs of your energy bills down is by checking if you’re eligible for any grants; however, be warned that what you’re suitable for can differ depending on whether you live in Wales or England.
Fortunately, various grants are available to homeowners in England and Wales to help homeowners implement home energy improvements and make their homes more efficient. From boiler upgrade schemes and home upgrade grants to social housing decarbonisation funds and solar-grants – there are loads of plans available for homeowners.
One of the most popular grants for Welsh homeowners is The Nest scheme, which can give homeowners access to free home energy improvements like solar panels, new boilers, central heating, insulation, and much more. You can check whether you’re eligible for any of the above by visiting the websites of experts in renewable energy installation like Solar Panel Grants.
Using their website, you can discover more about the types of grants available, check if you qualify, read related articles, and more. Consider visiting their site today or contact them directly if you have any specific inquiries. See how their services could help those who qualify to save money on their energy bills today.
Upgrade Your Old Boiler
You might be under the impression that your boiler works perfectly fine – sure, it’s getting a little bit old – but it heats your home, so why replace it? Unbeknownst to many, heating and hot water typically account for over half of your home’s energy usage, which is why it’s worth upgrading your boiler.
The older your boiler is, the more energy it uses to supply heat around your home, in contrast to newer models that use less and are, therefore, more efficient. In short, they use less gas/electricity to fire up, meaning that it’ll cost you less to use them.
Generally, boiler upgrades are worth considering if your current boiler is older than ten or more years. Although it might be more upfront than the other suggestions on this list, replacing your old boiler can save you up to £840 per year if you upgrade from a G-rated model to an A-rated one, which will be an improvement on your monthly energy bill.
Switch To Energy-Saving Lighting
Another way that you can reduce your household energy bill is by switching from traditional to energy-saving lighting. It is one of the most straightforward suggestions on our list since the swap can be completed in less than an hour, and you can start saving money immediately. According to data, replacing one 60W incandescent bulb can save you around £7 per year – so if you were to change five, that would save £35 on your yearly heating bill.
