Home Improvements To Bring Down Your Energy Bills This Winter

On the 1st of October, the UK Government’s Energy Price Guarantee fixed the price of gas and electricity for all households for the next two years. Although it will protect us from further increases, the average home will still be paying approximately £2,500 annually in energy bills – a whopping 97% increase from last year, and a 27% increase from the last price cap period from April to September 2022.

As a result, homeowners across the UK are looking for ways to bring down their energy bills. From small changes such as ensuring all electronics are switched off when not in use and turning off the thermostat, to refurbishing your home with new windows engineered from durable uPVC, even the most minute of actions should help you reduce your energy use – and save yourself the hassle of costly energy bills this winter.

As the UK heads into the colder months of the year, energy bills are set to remain almost double what they were this time last year. So what can you do to bring down your energy bills this winter?

Review your energy bills

For many, now is not a good time to switch energy providers with only a few suppliers offering fixed tariffs worth switching to. Even though bills are being discounted by the government, the new rates are still higher than they’ve ever been meaning the majority of British households are now dealing with larger energy bills than they’re used to.

However, there are very small ways in which you keep your energy payments as low as possible – without switching providers.

• Manage your account online – Some energy providers charge extra for paper bills. If you’re still receiving correspondence from your supplier in the mail, you may be charged additional fees. If you can, switching over to paperless billing and managing your account online can save you a few pounds a month
• Pay by direct debit – In general, paying by direct debit is most often cheaper than simply paying when you receive a bill. If you don’t have a smart meter, it’s also important to send regular meter readings to your provider. This will ensure your bill is accurate.

Service your boiler

The majority of households spend more than half of their annual energy budget on central heating. As a result, it makes sense to replace your outdated, inefficient boiler with a new one that is more energy efficient. If you can’t afford a new boiler, then regularly servicing it will ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible. Doing so can dramatically lower your energy bills.

Replace your old lightbulbs

Although it’s an age-old trick, replacing your old lightbulbs is still worth mentioning. Lighting makes up 11% of the average British home’s electricity consumption, so modern, energy-saving bulbs can ultimately assist homeowners in cutting down their energy bills.

The most energy-efficient bulb these days are LEDs, which use 90% less energy than traditional bulbs. There are also CFL bulbs which use 70-80% less energy. Both types of bulbs also last a lot longer than traditional ones, meaning in terms of longevity they’ll be cheaper.

Draught-proof your home

Draught-proofing your home, including any chimneys, windows and doors can make your home warmer and more comfortable through the winter by preventing heat from escaping through any gaps. Although it may not save you a lot, draught-proofing your home can make a big difference to your quality of life by keeping your home warm, dry and comfortable.

As your home still requires some level of ventilation and airflow, make sure not to block or shut any air vents, including extractor fans, trickle vents or underfloor grilles in wooden flooring.

Add insulation

Homeowners can lower their energy bills dramatically by simply adding or refurbishing their insulation. Although it’s not an option for everyone, adding insulation to your loft and/or walls can save you hundreds a year. This is because insulation prevents heat from escaping from your living spaces, meaning your home will be warmer and more comfortable.

If you have a little extra to spend when it comes to insulating your home, you can also significantly reduce heat loss by replacing your older-style windows with modern double glazing and uPVC.

Refurbish your home with new windows

Updating your windows may seem like a drastic measure. However, doing so can save you an incredible amount when it comes to your energy bills each year. This is especially pertinent if you live in a traditional home with its original timber windows, or even a property with uPVC windows a few decades old.

Over time, older-style windows can warp and flex. Throw in peeling paint and inevitable rot, and you have a recipe for disaster. Failing to update your windows and insulate your home property can result in a myriad of problems for your property, including condensation, damp and even mould. Left unabated, this can compromise the structural integrity of your home as well as your health and the health of your family. While you could use a cheaper DIY approach to old windows such as attempting to block drafts or attempt to dry out your living spaces with a dehumidifier, it’s a much better idea to upgrade your windows before the full impact of poor insulation takes hold.

Fortunately, there have been great strides in the window industry in recent years, meaning windows are more efficient than ever. At Majestic Designs, we engineer our range of uPVC and aluminium windows with innovative double glazing, internal beading, weatherproof seals and many other modern, energy-efficient features. As a result, our windows boast an A+14 energy efficiency rating as a standard across our entire range. Upgrading your home with high-quality windows, installed by a professional FENSA-accredited and MTC-registered team, can insulate your home property, introduce heightened security with modern safety features and of course, vastly improve the thermal retention ratings of your home.

New windows at Majestic Designs

As the UK heads into winter, energy bills are at an all-time high. As a result, homeowners across the UK are looking for ways to bring down their costly energy bills which are double what they were this time last year. From small changes such as turning off your thermostat to refurbishing your home with new windows engineered from energy-efficient uPVC, even the most minute of actions can save you the hassle of costly energy bills this winter.

The team at Majestic Designs have been engineering new windows for homes across the South West for more than 20 years. Our range of uPVC and aluminium products are engineered in our state-of-the-art factories right here in Somerset and fitted by our fully employed team of FENSA-accredited and MTC-registered lead installers.

Over the years, the team at Majestic Designs have fostered a county-wide reputation for professional, approachable customer service and superior craftsmanship. If you would like any more information about how our range of uPVC and aluminium windows can save you the hassle of costly energy bills or would like to book your at-home consultation, contact the team at Majestic Designs today.