Smarter Homes: How to Make Your Home Work Harder

Did someone say smarter homes? Strap on your ankle weights, pop your (responsibly sourced) lycra bodysuit on and let’s get started class! While working out is a great way to get fit and warm up, we’re actually talking about your house. It’s time for your lazy bones of a building to start doing more heavy lifting in the energy saving department. And transform into a muscle-bound sustainability icon. Or better known- as ‘smarter homes’. While the cost of living crisis weighs heavy on all of our minds this coming Winter, there are simple and effective tips to make your home smarter and work harder, from short term tricks to longer term solutions. Let’s warm up with the more simple workout moves to help ship shape your energy eating abode…

The smarter homes warm up

Now we all know warming up before a workout is crucial. Lest you fancy hobbling into work tomorrow for the sympathy of absolutely no one. And, just as your mum told you to pop a bobble hat on to ‘keep the heat in’, you can warm up your abode and hugely reduce the amount of heat escaping by a fifth by adding insulation seals around windows and doors – the head of the home, if you will. Other ways to keep your residence fully limber is to fully line your curtains and keep unused chimneys blocked with cardboard or a chimney balloon. It’s not exactly birthday party levels of fun, but you’ll thank us come November.

Hit the floor / roof

Now you’re a little warmed up, let’s jump it up to the ceiling and think about insulating that loft. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could end up saving up to £290 a year if you insulate your loft and cavity walls. Which is worth the initial cost if you can afford it. Otherwise, it’s worth finding out if you may be eligible for a local authority grant to help with the fees. The Energy Company Obligation is a government-backed assistance scheme to help tackle fuel poverty. So take a look to see if you’re eligible. Woah, woah, woah. When we’ve finished this workout, that is.

Switch it up

An easy little exercise this one- for achieving smarter homes. For those of you who might need a little breather by now. It’s time to switch up your old routine and move on from those dusty old incandescent light bulbs to shiny new LED ones. These energy efficient, money saving illuminati have low operating temperatures and a longer lifespan. Which is what we’re all aiming for ultimately really, isn’t it Keith?

And streeeetch (towards the wall plug)

Before we raise the bar again in a minute, we’ve got another very easy move to reduce your energy bill and make you part of the smarter homes clan. So stretch out those fingers and carry out a determined grapevine towards your appliances. One by one we’re going to unplug them all at the wall. Not just flip the off switch. These so-called energy vampires are living in your house rent free. In fact they’re piling on the pounds to your bills, and they need cutting off. When you’re finished reheating your cuppa in the microwave (nobody’s judging), unplug! When you’re done warming up another slice of teacake in the toaster, unplug! When your phone’s finished re-juicing, unplug! All these appliances can use more energy on standby than when they are in use. They can account for up to 20% of your monthly electricity bill. Unplug!

Step it up for smarter homes

Okay keen Kathy in the front row, you appear to have mastered the simpler tricks to keeping those costs down. But for more longer term solutions to keeping your home as sustainable as possible, it’s time to step it up a gear. From updating your windows to full scale renovations (or even building from scratch). There’s a huge spectrum of sustainability for smarter homes. Starting with your windows. Updating those dusty old ones to double or triple glazed thermally-efficient windows, will significantly reduce your energy bills. As well as conveniently muffling the harrowing wails of the London fox at night.

Do the (paint roller) lunge 

If your front room’s in need of a lick of paint, and it probably is let’s be fair, always remember to reach for the low VOC paints. What’s that when it’s at home you ask? And will they have the special Arsenic Whisper colour I always plump for? Well Hyacinth, they might not have that exact shade of rank. But they do have a huge range with vast colour palette to ponder over in your dressing gown of a Sunday afternoon. Low VOC paints contain fewer Volatile Organic Compounds than regular makes. Which are damaging chemicals that are released while you do the rolling and for years to follow. Just say no!

Upcycle

This one’s not just for the crafty, or indeed the Peloton-addicted thigh burners out there. Whether you’re sorting out a new kitchen, looking for a new sofa or (no questions asked) need a new front door. Try to re-use what you already have lying about. No one wants a carbon copy BnM Homes interior anyway! And by recycling old materials you’ll create a one of a kind piece to cherish for years. While knowing you’re helping save the environment.  You’ll become insufferable, Janice. Think used kitchen units mixed with newer cabinetry, for example, or going second hand for that third dog sofa Rufus so badly needs.

Squat, renew, repeat- you’ve almost reached goal: smarter homes

We’re sure at this point you’re getting serious about being a sustainable powerhouse. So it may be time to have a look at renewable energy systems you could implement into your homestead. To really sleep well at night on an environmentally friendly cloud of smugness, try looking into installing some nifty tech that uses natural resources – such as solar panels, a biomass boiler and air or ground source heat pumps.

Cool down

You’ve done so well class, it’s time to wind down and breeeeathe. Many of us are still going to require additional support to cool down those impending energy bills. For help and guidance with your bills this winter, you can take a look at the Government website regarding the cost of living crisis and also Energy Price Guarantee policies:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-support-for-the-cost-of-living-factsheet/government-support-for-the-cost-of-living-factsheet

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support/energy-bills-support-factsheet-8-september-2022

Contact us:

alex@daviesdavies.co.uk – Lettings Director (contact for lettings and property management)

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk – Sales Director (contact for sales, new homes and chartered surveying)

020 3820 2492

Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG

Article & images by Barefaced Studios

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