Cost of living crisis. We have all heard of it, we’re all suffering it in different ways but more importantly, we’re all seeking ways to fight against it. Retrofitting your home seems like an expensive way to live more sustainably but we’re here to reassure you. You can fight against the cost of living crisis by retrofitting your home. In some cases you’ll see instant savings, in others it’s a waiting game. In this blog we’re going to take you through all the ways to retrofit your home.
Less expensive ways to retrofit your home
Don’t worry, we’ll start you off small with this one. We know that investments take time to consider and purchase but we’re thinking these types of retrofits won’t be so tricky to implement into your home. Take a look at some cheaper ways to retrofit your home to make it more sustainable:
- Replacing the lightbulbs in your home with energy efficient ones
- Slowly replacing old energy intensive appliances in your home
- Installing aerators on all taps and showerheads
- Install a water butt in the garden to limit fresh water use
- Install smart meters so you can monitor consumption and manually reduce it
- Add draught excluders to your doors and windows
We know what you’re thinking – these won’t save you hundreds off your bills. It’s true. When we said small actions we meant it. Most of these will cost you less than £100 and others you can spread the cost over a few months in order to make them more affordable.
While the bigger savings will come with larger retrofits, we know that tends to mean a larger price tag too. So bear with us on this one and remember that not all of these retrofits need to happen soon or at the same time. There are many ways to work around these price tags during a cost of living crisis. It’s about smart shopping and savvy saving.
Bigger ways to retrofit your home
One of the most popular ways to retrofit your home is to take a look at the insulation. Most homes in the UK are built before 1919 which means they don’t have sufficient insulation. That being said, they more than likely won’t have well insulated windows and doors either so consider this one large retrofit. There’s no need to spend thousands on some loft insulation only for your heating to fly out your single-paned wooden windows that are the culprits for all your winter draughts.
When it comes to insulation, be sure to check out what current schemes are on offer for the government and have your home apply for them. You might be waiting a while for them to get back in touch so go take a look today and then you know your home will be on the list for when the time comes around. If your loft is easy to access and you do not have any damp or mould issues, you might even be able to insulate it yourself – take a look at this guide from the Energy Saving Trust for more inspiration.
Possibly the other most common way to retrofit your home is to take a look at solar panels. Once deemed outrageously expensive and practically useless, solar panels have really come into their own in recent years. They’re more affordable than ever and better yet – there are still grants available for you to take advantage of. Plus, in some areas you can even find solar sites such as Solar Together that allow you to browse various trades that are verified and supported.
Solar panels are something to invest in however. Depending on how many you purchase depends on how soon you’ll see a return on your energy usage and without battery purchase you won’t be able to store energy either. There are many options out there and various ways to purchase them which is why it’s important to find a contractor you can work with to get the best solution.
Have we covered all the different ways to you can retrofit your home, or do you think we’re missing a few? Be sure to get in touch with us if you’re curious to understand other ways to retrofit your home. If not, we look forward to see which project in the home you plan on tackling first.
