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Whether your home has a BER rating or not, making small changes around your home can really save you money when it comes to your heating and energy costs. This time of year is the ideal time to make these changes and save on your bills in the coming months and years.
1. Replace all incandescent and halogen bulbs with energy saving bulbs (CFL or LED low energy bulbs). This can reduce the energy you use for lighting by up to 80%.
2. If your home has an open fire, use a chimney balloon to reduce drafts when the fire is not in use. This will reduce heat loss through the chimney.
3. Replace all hit and miss vents with more energy saving vents which reduce heat loss.
4. Draft seal all windows, doors and your letterbox to reduce heat loss.
5. Make sure your copper hot water cylinder has a lagging jacket. If your cylinder is older than 15 years, it may be worth looking into more energy efficient alternatives.
6. Install thermostats in each room so that you can control the heat room by room. Greater control will make you more conscious of the temperature in your home and allow you to control your usage.
7. If your boiler is greater than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a condensing oil boiler which is more energy efficient.
8. If your windows are single glazed or old air filled double glazing, you should consider upgrading your windows. This will have a huge energy saving impact on your home and reduce heat loss significantly.
9. Insulating your attic space to at least 300mm will reduce the heat loss through your roof instantly. Up to 25% of heat is lost through the roof so insulation can really save you money.
10. Wall insulation options will depend on how your home was constructed but it is a great way of further reducing your energy loss leaving your home easier to heat and keep warm.
The SEAI have a range of grants available to help home owners to upgrade their insulation, home heating systems and much more. www.seai.ie/grants/