There are many ways that you can reduce your energy usage in the home however the
problem with many of the solutions is that they only ever make small, incremental savings. This could be from using energy efficient light bulbs or by buying modern kitchen appliances; they do use less energy but not a noticeable enough amount to truly save you money. A new light bulb will do very little to reduce your energy bills, at a national level, small savings add up and reduce the nations carbon footprint and energy dependency, at a household level there is little measurable effect. Most of the energy that we use in our homes is for heating in the winter, everyone will notice larger bills at this time of year and as energy prices rise, so too will the size of the bills. One of the only ways to truly reduce the amount you spend on energy is to invest in more substantial improvements such as those listed here.
Replacement Windows
The best way to improve your energy efficiency is to invest in modern double glazing, although this is not the cheapest option it is important to remember that it is an investment and most installations will pay for themselves over the life time of the windows. These replacement windows save energy by using modern manufacturing techniques to increase the thermal efficiency of the glass and frame. You will notice an immediate improvement in the warmth and comfort of your home should you choose to invest in this option. There are other benefits aside from energy saving; double glazing can soundproof your home and also enhance the security of your property.
Composite Doors
Once you have improved your windows it makes sense to then target one of the next biggest energy wasters in your home; doors. Although many people believe doors to be completely solid they are often just UPVC with a polystyrene like filler in between. By installing composite doors you get a more solid and more thermally efficient door that will be more secure and save you energy. Quality door frames and thresholds are also vital in ensuring that no heat escapes or cold drafts are let into the home. If you have french doors or patio doors then it can also be worth replacing them with modern variants that use double glazed glass units, these are often no thicker and simply have stronger frames to support the extra weight of the glass.