Making changes to your home to help with cost of living

Recent data shows that almost six million Brits are struggling to keep on top of their domestic bills. More and more of us are having to make sacrifices on non-essential spending and prioritising certain costs just to make rent or mortgage payments.

There are, however, some things you can do which may help to ease the financial burden.

Making considered changes to your home can help reduce your monthly expenses and make it more affordable to live in. By making simple adjustments, you can keep your living costs low for the long term. These may require an initial investment but in the long run, they could save you hundreds – even thousands – of pounds.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the things you can do to your home to provide a helping hand in the current climate and beyond.

Energy Efficiency

One such change is making your home more energy-efficient. This can be done in a number of ways.

LED Lighting

One of the most effective and easiest ways to make your home more energy-efficient is by swapping out your light bulbs for LED lighting. This can save you a significant amount on your monthly electricity bill, as well as reduce your carbon footprint.

You can get started with this by changing the bulbs in the rooms you use the most, such as your living room and kitchen. But don’t forget that remembering to turn off lights when you leave a room is really important. Every little helps!

They do the job just as well as your usual bulbs but often last longer too, reducing maintenance and replacement cost. Oh, and they come in all sorts of fun colours if white or yellow doesn’t quite match your style.

Insulation

Making some long-term energy-efficient changes to your home can help add value as well as save you money in the long run.

Improving your property’s insulation will help to keep heat in during the winter and cool air in during the summer, making your home more comfortable all year round. It can also lead to lower energy bills as you won’t need to invest in expensive heating or cooling systems.

There are a number of different insulation materials available on the market, so it’s important to do some research to find the one that best suits your needs. You should also consider getting professional help to install it. This is because it will ensure you’re getting the best results and that it is sustainable for the future.

Double Glazing

Another great way to insulate your home (and reduce noise pollution from outside) is by installing double glazing. This is a more expensive option but can save you money in the long run as similarly to loft insulation, it will help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

If you live in an older property, it’s worth considering because it can also add value to your home and spruce it up with added benefits! But be sure to get some quotes before making any decisions, as installation costs can vary depending on the size and type of window you have.

Solar Panels

Making changes to your home in the face of a pending recession can be daunting and we understand that many people won’t want to invest large amounts of money. However, if there becomes a time when you can afford to do so, this next idea is great for making a long-term impact.

Solar panels use renewable energy from the sun to generate electricity, which can then be used to power your home. Not only does this reduce your reliance on traditional (and often more expensive) forms of energy, but it can also save you money on your energy bills which don’t show much sign of reducing any time soon.

Saving Water

Making changes to your home in the way you use water is another great way to save money and help the environment. There are a number of things you can do to achieve this, such as:

Installing a Water Butt

This is a great way to collect rainwater which can then be used for watering plants or cleaning the car. You can usually get these fitted for free through local schemes and can be a lifesaver during heatwaves and hosepipe bans.

If you are worried about it being on display in your garden, don’t be – there are plenty of different designs and styles available to suit everyone. You can even find ones disguised as plant posts! Or it could be a perfect time to get stuck into a DIY project and whip up a nice cover for it.

Upgrade Your Taps

You may not realise it, but even the smallest leaks could be running up unnecessary costs for you each month. Not to mention, it’s estimated that a dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water each day.

Leaks can be costly and bad for the environment. The best way to check for them is by reading your water metre before and after a two-hour period where no water should be used. If the reading changes, you may have a leak.

If you notice something, changing your taps and getting a plumber in could save you more money in the long run and you’ll have peace of mind that nothing is being wasted.

Making Changes To Your Home

Whether big or small, little differences can have a positive impact on the environment and your wallet. We all need to do our bit to save money where we can and insulating our homes is one of the best ways to do it.

Our team at Greenway Associates can also help with sustainable design and architectural planning should you want to switch up your home. We’re always on hand to offer advice and support so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We hope this has been helpful and we wish you all the best with saving money!

If you have enjoyed reading this blog why not check out some of our other ones here.

And if you’d like to see some of our previous work – why not start with this one!