Every home contributes to the UKs overall carbon emissions through using energy in some form. This may be through heating, lighting, or using any electrical devices. There are an increasing number of measures that you can take to help reduce your carbon footprint at home, and new technology has allowed us to become more environmentally friendly when heating our homes. We can explain some simple, cost-effective measures that will allow you to reduce not only your carbon footprint, but your energy bills too.
Upgrade your heating
If the heating system in your home is aging and outdated, it will most likely not be heating your home very efficiently. This will mean you have to leave your heating on longer and will increase your carbon footprint. Switching to a modern combi boiler, or a renewable system such as an air source or ground source heat pump can reduce the emissions your home produces. These systems heat your home a lot more efficiently than your old boiler, so you can expect to reduce your carbon footprint and your heating bills at the same time. Although this may involve a larger initial cost, the long-term savings making this a worthwhile investment.
Install smart heating controls
Alongside or instead of upgrading your central heating system, it is worth installing smart heating controls at your property. Rather than having to leave your heating on for long periods during the day or overnight, smart heating controls can allow you to only have your heating on when you need it. You can programme your heating to come on when you get home from work, or for a few hours overnight to keep you warm. This can reduce unnecessary usage when you are not at home and cut the carbon emissions your home is producing. Smart controls couldn’t be easier to use, with an app on your phone allowing you to adjust your heating wherever you are.
Insulate your home
A lot of the heat your home produces escapes very quickly due to poor insulation, so taking some steps to better insulate your home will make a difference to energy efficiency and carbon footprint. Firstly, insulate your hot water pipes and hot water cylinder if you have one to make sure they are not losing heat. Next, the walls and roof of your home are where heat can pass through quickly, particularly as it rises. If your home has a cavity wall, this will be easier to insulate and prevent heat from passing through your walls as quickly when escaping your home. Loft insulation is effective at stopping heat from escaping through your roof, and making these changes will make your home warmer for longer periods of time.
Making these changes in your home can help to cut your carbon footprint significantly, and you will be doing your bit to protect the environment. If you want to arrange boiler installation or servicing to help improve the efficiency of your system, get in contact with us at Gas Tech Heating. Our gas safe registered boiler engineers can provide comprehensive heating services. To get booked in, give us a call on 01442 832202 or email info@gastechheatingltd.co.uk.
