The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has encouraged property owners to take advantage of the simple solutions currently on the market to make efficiencies in their homes.
The UK government is committed to carbon reductions and needs to cut emissions by 34% to meet the 2020 targets. Homeowners are being encouraged to refurbish with more environmentally friendly products. The more this is done voluntarily, the less draconian legislation might be.
For those looking to make these improvements and at the same time achieving substantial savings, the NAEA recommends:
Cavity-wall insulation – although this involves a rather noisy installation process, the benefits can be felt instantly. Insulating your walls harnesses the heat generated in the home, meaning substantial savings on your energy bills. A specialist should always be sought for this type of job so ensure you choose a member that is Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) qualified.
Draught-stripping – installing specialist strips of foam around windows and doors will significantly reduce draughts, helping to retain the heat and ultimately saving you money. Costing around £50-£80 depending on whether you install it yourself or not, it can save up to £20 per year for a gas-heated semi.
New boiler – replacing your old boiler can help reduce emissions and cut your bills at the same time. Although the boiler scrappage scheme has ended, given the huge level of demand, grants are still available for this kind of purchase. It is worth checking out the funding database on the Energy Saving Trust site for specific details on what is out there: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Loft insulation. This well-established efficiency measure offers a cheap and easy way to top up insulation already installed. Boosting the thickness of the insulation to between 250 and 300mm is recommended for optimum efficiency.
Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA says: “It is important homeowners are aware of the options available to them when looking to make carbon efficiencies to their property. There are many funding choices out there making the installation of simple green measures a more affordable option.
“It is proposed that loans will be made available under the Government's Green Deal initiative will assist further in helping homeowners to invest in low carbon solutions.”
Source http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/
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