How to save energy in your new-build home
An Erris Home is already built to the highest environmental standards, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still do your bit to improve the energy efficiency of your home and save a pretty penny in the process.
Whether you’re redecorating a room or looking to make some small changes in your daily life, we’ve pulled together some handy tips on how you can make your new home as eco-friendly as possible.
Appliances
- Make sure to clean the filters in your home regularly to avoid a build up of dust and dirt which could make the filters less efficient.
- Defrost your fridge and freezers to ensure they run as efficiently as possible. The food also acts as an insulator, so keeping your refrigerator well stocked lessens the length of time the appliance has to run to keep contents cool.
- Depending on your energy supplier, appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines can guzzle electricity during the day, so try and schedule your loads so they run during the night (this will relieve strain on the electricity grid during the day) and allow to air dry when possible.
Fluffy rugs, skirted furniture and long, thermal curtains can do wonders to keep your home insulated and stop chilly draughts in their tracks.
Décor
- Thermal curtains are a must to keep heat in your home throughout winter, especially over large windows and patio doors. If curtains aren’t your style, switch it up with thermal Roman or roller blinds!
- Wooden flooring can look amazing, but it isn’t a great insulator in the colder months. It’s worth investing in a high-quality rug to cover up those hard, cold floors. If you’re considering re-flooring, make sure you include thick underlay!
- The layout of your home can hugely impact the heat flow throughout the house. While you may choose to pin up your sofa against a radiator in summer, make sure to rearrange your furniture ahead of winter to ensure the heat is circulating throughout the entire room and not just the back of your couch. Similarly, try placing stacked bookshelves against outside-facing walls – the books will act as an eco-friendly insulator.
- Your furniture could save you money without you knowing! High, overstuffed dining chairs and skirted furniture such as sofas and tables will stop cold draughts in their tracks and act as an additional thermal barrier.
Do you have an eco-friendly home décor tip to share? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!