Some quick DIY tasks at home could also bring down your energy bills
Changing the settings on your boiler could immediately make a dent in your energy bills. Families may be worried about rising heating bills going into the winter months. But experts at waterproofing supplies brand Stormdry have shared some tips for keeping your energy bills down as you turn up the heating.
Hudson Lambert, energy expert with the group, pointed to a very fast way to cut your costs. He said: “You can start saving money at the source by making some changes to your boiler. If you have a combi boiler, try lowering the flow temperature to 50C.”
He explained the thinking behind making this change: “This returns water to your boiler at a lower temperature, which won’t affect how warm your radiators feel, but means that more energy is extracted from the gas that is burnt to heat the water.”
Another cost-saving measure recommended by Mr Lambert is to get a smart meter installed. He said: “You can get a smart meter fitted for free by your energy provider. This puts the power back into your hands to know how much you’ve spent on your energy.”
A benefit of a smart meter is it shows your energy use in real time, helping you understand which appliances are consuming the most energy, and what changes you can make to cut your bills. The consumer expert said: “For example, you could make savings by turning off appliances like washing machines, TVs and computer monitors, rather than leaving them on standby, or by only using them at off-peak times, such as on Sundays or in the evenings.”
A major source of heat loss
It may also be worth your time to do a few DIY jobs around your home. Mr Lambert suggests fixing any draughts around doors or windows as this can be a “major source of heat loss”.
There are easy ways to plug these gaps. Mr Lambert said: “A quick and inexpensive solution is simply to buy a roll of self-adhesive foam draught excluder to cover the gaps in culprit doors and window frames, which help to keep the heat in. Another quick tip you can do is to insulate radiators and pipes.
“For example, sticking radiator reflective foil behind radiators helps prevent heat loss by reflecting heat back into the room.”
Insulation upgrades
Another factor to consider is your insulation. Mr Lambert said: “Porous masonry materials such as brick, stone, concrete and mortar are worse insulators when they are wet. One tip that isn’t common knowledge – but well worth the time – is to waterproof the exterior of your home to reduce heat loss.”
He said that waterproofed walls have been shown to lose 4C less heat than non-waterproofed walls. There are other benefits here, as waterproofing your walls will protect your existing insulation measures, helping them be optimally efficient in preventing heat loss.
Mr Lambert explained the step-by-step process to reinforce your walls. He said: “Firstly, check the masonry joints of the wall for cracks and repoint if necessary. Next, you’ll want to dry the external wall and check the weather forecast for a rain-free day. Once dry, remove any loose mortar, dust and debris using a masonry brush.”
The next step is to apply a coat of breathable waterproofing masonry cream to your walls. This will line the pores of the bricks to create a water-repellent layer, helping preserve the wall, protect your current insulation and stop heat loss through water uptake.
Mr Lambert said: “Waterproofing your walls is a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your home and protect your insulation investment. It’s also ideal for older homes where insulation measures are a challenge to add.”
