A common question among homeowners is whether they can turn their existing house into an energy efficient home. Most people live in old houses other than building new ones and while we love them, they may not be energy efficient. They tend to lose a lot of heat and hike our energy bills.
Fortunately, there is much that can be done to transform your home into an energy efficient home. What you do with your home will depend on your budget and the amount of upheaval you are willing to endure.
Common issues with existing homes
Here are common issues that homeowners of existing houses may face.
1. Poor Insulation
Most old homes lack proper insulation to prevent heat loss. You should find out the best way to install insulation in your floor, walls and loft. If your home has uninsulated cavity walls, insulation can be added following a certain criteria.
2. External and Internal Solid Wall Insulation
If your house was built before the 1930s, there is a good chance that it has solid walls. If that is the case, internal insulation can be added to your solid walls. You can also add insulation to the external walls of your home.
3. Ventilation
Controlled ventilation is essential for a healthy and energy efficient home.
Bonus items when creating an energy efficient home
After you have gotten the insulation and ventilation right, you are on your way to having an energy efficient home. However, there are several other things that you have to put in mind. Some of these include;
- Upgrade your heating system using a condensing boiler or heat pump.
- Upgrade to double or triple glazed windows
- Upgrade to draught proof doors
- Consider introducing solar panels
- Upgrade your lighting to lower your bulbs energy consumption
When to Introduce Energy Efficient Improvements to Your Home
There is no right time to carry out the improvements that will transform your old place into an energy efficient home. But there are times when it makes more sense to carry out the work. For example, if you just bought the house, you are more likely to bring in changes to suit your lifestyle. This is a wonderful time to do the messy and invasive changes in the house.
However, sometimes you are forced to carry out improvements when you least expect such as when your boiler breaks down or your roof starts leaking.
