What’s a renovation if not a fresh start for your home? Whilst your first thought might be to make your house more aesthetically pleasing or to fit with your lifestyle, it is also the ideal point to consider making you home warmer, cheaper to run, a far more efficient.
When walls are open, floors are up, and new layouts are being designed you have the perfect opportunity to improve the structure, not just the appearance. Here are the areas that make the biggest difference when renovating your home:
Upgrade Your Insulation
Insulation is the foundation stone of an energy-efficient home. It’s also something best tackled during a renovation. Improving the insulation in your walls, roof and floors dramatically reduces heat loss and makes sure every room is more comfortable.
In an extension or conversion project you can use high performance insulation boards to help the space stay warm for longer. This will lower your bills without having to shop around for new energy providers or changing your heating system.
Choose Better Windows and Doors
Dated windows and draughty doors decrease the energy efficiency of your home. Replace them will increase the houses performance. Modern, A-rated glazing and properly sealed frames reduce heat loss and prevents cold air from creeping in around the edges. In larger kitchen extensions this is particularly important.
Good glazing doesn’t just save energy; it also improves security and reduces outside noise.
Improve Air Tightness Without Sacrificing Ventilation
A well-sealed home is more efficient than a draughty one. However, you still need healthy airflow. Renovation work is the perfect time to seal gaps around the windows, pipework, and structural joins. However, this still needs to be balanced with proper ventilation.
You could choose trickle vents, or in larger projects, a mechanical ventilation system that recovers heat. Getting this balance right prevents condensation and improves your home’s long-term health.
Modernise Your Heating System
If your home improvements include new layouts or larger spaces, it is a good time to rethink your heating system. In extensions and open-plan kitchens, underfloor heating works brilliantly. This creates even warmth and frees up wall space.
Modern condensing boilers, zoned controls, and smart thermostats also offer significant efficiency boosts. Renovation is the moment to make these changes whilst the disruption is already taking place.
Upgrade Lighting and Appliances
Lighting and appliance are usually overlooked during renovations, but they play a major role in how your energy is used. Switching to LED lighting is a simple and effective way to cut consumption. If you’re installing a new kitchen, for instance, choose A-rated appliances to build long-term savings into the heart of your renovation.
Explore Renewable Options
Larger projects are the perfect opportunity to consider renewable systems. Solar panels, solar-assisted hot water systems, and air-source heat pumps significantly slash running costs. However, it is important to note that not every home is suitable for every technology.
If you want to explore these options, the best time to do that is during renovation rather than retrofitting later at a greater cost.
Planning a Renovation?
If you are wondering whether you can make your renovation more energy efficient, we can guide you through the best options for your home and budget. Make sure you give some thought to energy performance in the high-quality renovations, extensions, and conversions. Have them perform as well as they look.
To discuss your renoation projects with an expert, call us on 01604 380 930, or email info@srgillbuilders.co.uk with your enquiry.
Share this post: