It used to be the case that having a shower used far less water than having a bath, but the increasing popularity of powered showers mean the volume of water consumed during a typical shower is now greater than ever. Water-saving showerheads add bubbles to the flow, significantly reducing your total water consumption. This means less energy is required to heat the water and, for those homes fitted with water meters, overall consumption is reduced. A typical household can expect to make combined savings of around £70 each year.
Solar Panels
Fitting solar panels to your home will not only cut your energy bills, they can also earn you a tax-free income for the next twenty years. Under the Government Renewable Obligation Certificate payment system, you will be paid a fixed fee for every unit of electricity you generate, regardless of whether you actually make use of them.
Although some may worry that somewhere like Northern Ireland simply isn’t sunny enough for solar panels to work effectively, there is no cause for concern. Solar panels generate electricity when they are exposed to daylight, not sunshine, so even cloudy or overcast days will produce significant quantities of electricity. However, the brighter the day, the more electricity generated over the same amount of time.
For people interested in solar panels in Belfast or elsewhere in Northern Ireland, there are a number of established companies they can contact such as http://www.solarpanelni.com and others to find out more about the benefits of switching to this form of energy.
Modern Insulation
Ensuring you have the right insulation in your cavity walls and loft is essential if you want to keep energy bills to a minimum. If too much heat is escaping through the walls and roof, your heating system will have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. If your loft insulation is more than 30 years old, it may not be of the correct thickness or use the latest materials so it’s worth looking into an upgrade, especially as you may be eligible for a government grant to help cover the cost.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, cavity wall insulation cuts around £160 per year from the cost of heating a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house while having the optimum amount of loft insulation could save an additional £175 per year.