7 Huge Sustainable Investments for Bolstering Home Heating Efficiency

Keeping your home warm during winter is something that costs the average household thousands of dollars over the years. Inefficient heating systems will also leave a larger carbon footprint, which can exacerbate the effects of climate change. In some major cities like New York, heating buildings accounts for around 42% of the region’s carbon footprint.

Anything that you can do to limit heat loss, and make the process more efficient, therefore, is likely to save you money and help the planet in the long run. But which energy-saving measures are worthwhile? You can make a big difference by simply serving your heating systems, but you might need to do something more aggressive to realize a better payoff for both your wallet and the planet.

Let’s consider a few of the popular options.

Bleeding Radiators

Over time, pockets of air can collect at the top of your radiator. While they are trapped inside, they will prevent hot water from filling the device, making it less efficient. You can fix this by regularly bleeding the radiator.

Serviced Boiler

Your boiler is the single most important (and expensive) component in your heating setup. An efficient boiler can save you thousands in the long run – but only if it’s regularly serviced. Regular servicing, indeed, is often a requirement imposed by your boiler’s warranty – so make sure that you make a point of getting it taken care of annually. Specialized boiler cover will protect your boiler during the winter months – if you are worried about boiler failure, it is a possibility to bear in mind.

Insulation

If your property has cavity walls, then getting them insulated can yield substantial improvements in energy-efficiency. Adding insulation can be one of the best ways to make older buildings green, but you might have to remove some of the more toxic insulation. The same is true of your loft, which can be insulated either with blankets, loose-fill insulation, and the blown-fiber stuff that needs professional installation.

Double-glazing

Double-glazing will need to be replaced over time. The seals around the unit will fail, and the gas between the panels will leak, thereby compromising the heat-containing efficacy of the window. The solution is to replace the panel. In certain older listed buildings, you might find it difficult to obtain planning permission for a double-glazed window; look instead for secondary glazing as an alternative.

Compression Strips

Around the edges of an exterior door you’ll find squeezable strips that form a tight seal when the door is closed. Over time, these can lose their elasticity, which means that air will be able to pass from one side of the door to the other. Fortunately, they can be easily replaced.

Draft-Excluders

Similarly, the gap along the bottom of your door can be plugged using a draft excluder – which is more simply described as a long cushion. A rolled-up towel can do the same job, albeit less effectively. This is a measure resorted to in the case of older doors – but in many cases it’s better to bite the bullet and get the door replaced.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves

If all the radiators in your home are fitted with thermostatic radiator valves, then they’ll restrict the flow of water, depending on the ambient temperature. This basically means that you won’t be wasting heat in rooms that don’t need to be heated beyond a certain point.