As of April 1st 2022, the energy price cap will rise by a staggering 54%. Already, 60% of West Midlands homes have high energy usage. As such, many homeowners across the Wolverhampton area could be facing a sharp increase in their expenses. At DW Windows, we care about the financial wellbeing of our customers. That’s why we’ve put together this quick and simple guide on ways to reduce your energy bills.
1. Turn off appliances that are on standby
Switching all appliances off at the plug is an easy way to save money on energy bills. If left on at the wall, appliances will still be using electricity, even when you’re not using them. Turning them off can help to save over £30 a year in energy bills.
2. Turn down the thermostat
The optimum, healthy room temperature for humans is between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. If you can turn your thermostat down to 18 degrees, this will make a huge difference to your energy bills. In fact, each degree you drop can save £80 a year.
3. Be smarter with your water usage
Many homeowners across Dudley and Wolverhampton still do the washing up under a running tap. However, you can save £25 a year just by washing up in a bowl instead.
Installing a more efficient showerhead and limiting shower time will also reduce energy bills. By shaving off just 1 minute of your showers, you can save £7 a year per household member. This can make a big difference for larger family homes.
4. Invest in double and triple glazed windows
If your home still has windows that are
- Single-glazed
- Timber-framed
then this will be a major contributor towards high energy bills.
Energy-efficient glazing
With just one pane of glass, outdated single-glazed windows will be allowing swathes of heat to escape your home. New double-glazed windows, however, have two panes of glass. Between them is a chamber of argon gas which traps heat before it can leave your home. This keeps your home warm, and prevents you from having to use your central heating in excess. For triple-glazed windows, with an extra heat-trapping chamber, this effect is further enhanced.
Energy-efficient uPVC window frames
Timber window frames are prone to splitting, rotting, warping. When this happens, gaps can appear between the window pane and the frame. This causes heat to rapidly escape the home. Thankfully, modern uPVC windows are completely immune to these problems. uPVC also has excellent insulating properties, helping the windows to achieve A+ energy ratings.
5. Conservatory refurbishment
Old, defunct conservatories are one of the biggest energy-drainers in West Midlands homes today. With some installed over 30 years ago, their heat retention becomes poorer and poorer as the technology grows more outdated. Some homeowners have to use portable electric heaters to warm the space, which use a horrendous amount of electricity.
If this is happening to you, we’d strongly advise you consider one of the following conservatory refurbishment options:
New conservatory windows
Our top-of-the-range, modern glass is infinitely more energy-efficient than the windows of the 1990s.
New conservatory doors
Investing in a new set of uPVC French doors will help to eliminate draughts and reduce your heating usage.
Conservatory roof replacement
An old polycarbonate roof is a massive energy sapper. By investing in a new glass or tiled conservatory roof, you can transform the conservatory into a warm, sociable space. More importantly, you’ll save considerably more on your energy bills in the long term.
Energy-saving home improvements in Wolverhampton and across the West Midlands
Whether you live in Kingswinford, Dudley, Stourbridge, or anywhere in the West Midlands, DW Windows want to help you save on your energy bills. For more information on this, please call us on 0800 999 0909, send us a message online or book an appointment.
Our friendly team is on hand to answer any further questions you may have on energy efficiency!
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