Possibly the biggest problem on homeowners minds is their energy bills. Everyone has to pay them, and the amount differs depending on providers and your energy usage. However, in a world dominated by electrical items and appliances that consume lots of power, most people end up with high energy costs. This means they’re spending loads of money, every month, paying for energy.
As a result, their entire financial situation suffers thanks to this constant outgoing. But, is there a way you can reduce energy costs for good? There is one idea that’s becoming very popular amongst those who can afford it. This idea is that you move into a new-build home. Why? Because new-builds are full of modern things that are designed to be more energy efficient, making them far more affordable. Don’t believe me? This article will talk you through all the things in modern homes that make them far more efficient.
Underfloor Heating
More and more new-build homes are being built with underfloor heating in many rooms of the house. You might not see this in every room, but it will be in a lot of bathrooms and kitchens in new properties on the market. How is this more energy efficient? Well, with underfloor heating, heat is distributed far more evenly around the room. The heating system is on the floor and spans across the whole area of the room. This means that a large area can be heated up without using as much water as a radiator would need. As a consequence, your boiler doesn’t have to work as hard and consume as much energy as it would when a radiator needs to heat a room.
Radiators heat up the area right in front of them, and then most of the heat goes upwards. This means that to heat the rest of the room, you need to stick it on a much higher heat level. Consequently, the amount of energy needed will rise, and the cost of heating goes up. Now, imagine you replaced radiators with underfloor heating in just half the rooms in your house. You’d see an immediate difference in your energy bills, particularly during cold periods where you need your heating on.
Solar Panels
Another thing you notice on lots of new-build homes is the presence of solar panels on their roof. Solar energy has long been the most-used source of renewable energy in the country. Why? Because it’s the easiest way to get renewable energy into homes. All you need are solar panels installed and the sun’s energy. The panels then do all the world and consumer the solar energy, converting it into energy for your house to use. The obvious benefit of this is that you don’t have to pay for the sun’s energy. As such, you can power your home with some free energy. Granted, solar panels may not be able to harness enough power to completely run your home. So, you still have to rely on regular electricity or energy to help out too. But, the fact you can subsidise some with solar power will reduce costs dramatically.
The only problem with solar panels is installing them on a property. Some old homes may not have the correct roof structure for them. Plus, installation can cost a bit, and solar panels stick out like a sore thumb making your house look a bit weird. But, with new-build homes, they’re designed around the property. They’ll blend in with the roofing design and look far more natural.
SMART Technology
The majority of new-build homes are designed to be a lot smarter than older ones. What this means is they’re full of SMART technology that helps control energy usage in the home. The main thing they have are thermostats that can be easily programmed and controlled by mobile apps. This means you can turn your heating off even when you’re out of the house. How many times have you left the house in a rush and forgot to turn the heating off? Or, your kids leave without turning it off? It happens countless times and can cause so much wasted energy which ramps up your bill. With a SMART thermostat, you can check the situation and turn the heating off if it’s been left on.
Then, you have any built-in appliances that are usually found in the kitchen. New-builds with built-in dishwashers or cookers are now full of technology. They have energy saving settings on washing machines and dishwashers. Cookers are now powered by electricity and use less energy than a gas cooker while being better for the environment too. There’s a lot of technology in modern homes that make them far greener than older models.
Modern Insulation
Finally, modern homes are kitted out with modern insulation. How does this benefit homeowners? Well, there are two ways it can make a huge difference to a home. For one, modern insulation is brand new and will last a very long time. If you have old insulation in your home, it might be past its best years, and won’t be performing as well as you’d like it too, leading to a loss of heat from your home. Secondly, newer insulation is better designed to trap more heat inside your home than the old stuff. In the end, modern insulation reduces heat loss, which means you don’t have to overcompensate by turning the thermostat up higher and using more energy.
It’s not just wall/attic insulation that helps, there are the windows too. Modern homes have modern windows that are built to be great insulators of heat. Again, this means more heat is trapped in, less escapes, and you can keep that thermostat down low.
So, you can see how new-builds are far more energy efficient than older homes. So, if you’re thinking of moving home, it’s wiser to opt for a new-build. If you can’t afford to move, don’t worry. Invest in every feature mentioned in this piece and make your old home more modern and more energy efficient.
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