For many people, the bright, sunny and warm weather is a welcome change following the colder, dark days of winter. Yet, when the temperatures do heat up, it’s also good to have the option to retreat indoors to a comfortable energy efficient home.
With rising costs and ongoing concerns about the climate and the environmental impact of our properties, there is a collective need to cut energy usage in our everyday lives. For homeowners, this means being mindful about the amount of energy consumed not only in heating but in cooling a property, as well as in carrying out day-to-day jobs around the home during a routine week.
With this in mind, here are seven green-living tips to help you conserve energy ahead of the rising spring and summer months.
1. Saving energy across the home
Having the most efficient appliances across a home can help you conserve energy during the year. Buying new fridge freezers, washing machines, and dishwashers that have the best energy rating labels can all significantly reduce household electricity consumption. You can also future-proof heat-giving sources in your home by investing in an electric fireplace. As well as looking good, zero emissions are released when they are used making them an eco-responsible choice.
Likewise, smart thermostats will help you adjust, schedule and pre-set heating and cooling systems, potentially reducing your home's energy costs while providing remote control capabilities through smartphone apps. Other long-term options include installing solar power roof panels to create your own energy source, helping you to lower energy bills, understand your property’s energy status, and minimise your environmental impact.
Protective measures like loft insulation, double glazing and weatherstripping can help make a real difference to the comfort and efficiency of your space. Loft insulation alone can save up to £315 per year on energy bills.
2. Improve the efficiency of doors and windows
Keeping your doors and windows closed is one of the simplest ways to improve energy efficiency in your home during the warmer months of the year, even if it might feel counterintuitive. Opening doors or windows creates pathways for cooler air to escape from your home, and allows warm air inside. Similarly, installing more energy-efficient designs will enable your home to stay cool. Modern double or triple glazing windows combined with low emissivity coatings reflect solar heat, maintain natural light and lower indoor temperatures.
These same efficiency improvements serve a dual purpose throughout the year. Good insulation and draft sealing prevent unwanted heat transfer in summer while also addressing winter concerns. During colder months, inadequate insulation, ventilation, and heating can lead to problematic condensation and, in the worst case scenario, the growth of hazardous mould spores. Implementing timely upgrades ensures a comfortable environment throughout the year.
For larger openings like garage doors, upgrading or replacing old and ineffective doors with properly sealed alternatives, similarly reduces energy consumption. Many energy-efficient door options also include UV- resistant materials that will better withstand intense summer sun conditions.
3. Close the blinds to block out harsh rays
Even when closed, windows are a major source of heat gain during the sunnier months of spring and onwards into the summer. By blocking sunlight and heat with window coverings, you can help your home stay cooler to maintain comfort.
Close all blinds, curtains and shutters on windows facing the sun, especially on south and west facing facades which receive the most solar exposure. While blocking sunlight during the day it’s important to open window coverings at night, to allow nighttime ventilation and cooling of your home.
4. Turn down the thermostat
Managing your thermostat setting through the year, even by just a few degrees, can greatly help lower energy usage and reduce your summer energy bills. Each degree change can make a substantial difference in the amount of power used.
Even in colder months, your thermostat is best maintained at a comfortable setting for your needs, usually allowing for an indoor temperature of 20-22°C. You can save approximately 10% for every degree lower you set the thermostat, according to the Energy Saving Trust. So finding a sweet spot temperature you can live with for maximum efficiency and cost savings, can be very beneficial.
Meanwhile, turning your thermostat to zero, or your boiler off completely when heating is not needed during summer, will prevent any unnecessary energy cycling, reserving resources and saving money. Boilers, particularly combi designs, will commonly briefly fire up during summer, even when the heating is off. However, this happens to help preserve internal components, and only uses small amounts of energy each time.
5. Use fans effectively
Fans can help keep air circulating during warm times, which cools your skin and makes the ambient temperature feel lower than it actually is. Using fans properly is key to staying comfortable for less cost and energy usage.
The downward airflow and wind chill effect from ceiling fans will make the temperature feel several degrees cooler than without a fan. Pedestal fans should be set to higher speeds, angled up towards the ceiling to keep air moving in occupied areas of the room.
You can make use of ceiling fans in combination with open windows for natural ventilation and cooling. The airflow from fans will help pull cooler outdoor air inside while pushing warmer indoor air out for an energy-efficient cooling method that costs nothing to operate. Using fans for night cooling can often eliminate the need for air conditioning altogether.
6. Dry clothes and household items outside
On hot summer days, drying your clothes, towels and blankets outside in the sun instead of relying on a heavy duty tumble dryer further assists in reducing your energy consumption and lowering utility bills. Tumble dryers can be energy intensive, using a lot of power to heat and circulate the air needed to dry clothing. Letting the sun naturally dry your clothes and other products is an eco-friendly option that is easy on the environment and your wallet.
As we have seen there are a number of ways you can stay cool and comfortable indoors while running an eco-friendly home. While upfront costs may prove higher, the upgrades can bring significant energy savings, reducing cooling costs and keeping your home more comfortable. They are also a worthwhile long term investment towards your home’s overall value and appearance. For a greener household in general, optimise natural sunlight with solar energy and seek sustainable household solutions while enjoying the warmer months of the year.
