Insulation and boilers
Whether you want to help the planet or just save money, there's always something you can do to make your home more energy efficient
- Insulation and boilers
- Solar heating and turbines
- Eco homes and useful contacts
1. Insulate
Up to a third of your heat is lost through the roof so top priority is insulating your loft. It should only cost about £200 and is an easy DIY project that can be done in a day. If you already have insulation, check it's thick enough – at least 250mm.
2. Cavity wall insulation
Another third of your heat could be leaking through your walls. The external walls of most homes built after the 1920s have two layers of brick and insulation can be injected into the cavity between them. It costs from £250 and takes half a day.
3. High-efficiency boilers
Since January 2006 almost all boilers sold in the UK have to be high-efficiency condensing models. They convert more than 88% of their fuel into heat, as opposed to 78% for conventional types. Replacing an old boiler with a new model will save you about a third on your heating bills.
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