Energy: 7 ways to make your home more efficient

Currently, there are more and more solutions to increase the energy efficiency of homes. And, with the period of energy crisis that Europe is going through, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is important to look for options that help you save on your monthly bill . Although, for the most part, this type of intervention requires an initial investment , in the long run they can make a difference in terms of monthly savings.

Thus, in this article, we have gathered several improvements that we can make at home to make it more efficient, as well as what types of aid there are from the State and how you can get funding for these improvements.

7 ways to make your home more efficient

1. Take advantage of the orientation of the property

When looking for a property to live in, we must take into account the location in relation to the sun . If you get sun, it’s easier to get light and heat into the house. This helps with various processes , such as, for example, drying clothes (avoiding you using a dryer), or not needing to use air conditioning and heaters.

That is, if the orientation of the property is ideal , it manages to keep the house cool in the summer and warmer, naturally, in the winter.

So, for this, according to EDP , it is important that the house is orientated towards the south , with the rooms and windows larger, and towards the north there should be a minimum number of windows . Then, to the east and west, there must be blinds and shutters , in order to control the entry of solar energy.

2. Thermal insulation is essential

Thermal insulation is essential for the energy efficiency of the house. This is because, during the summer, it will prevent the house from overheating and, throughout the winter, good insulation allows the heat generated by the heating system to be retained .

Through roof insulation, an average of 30% of heat is lost: 25% losses from walls and doors and 20% from windows. In other words, having thermal insulation prevents the loss of interior heat and can mean savings of up to 10% on the monthly heating bill for the property.

3. Install efficient windows

To save on your monthly energy bill, another option you have is choosing to install efficient windows that provide thermal comfort and acoustic insulation.

However, you will have to make an initial investment to install the windows. If you go ahead, you will need to collect the following information: dimensions of each window (width x height) and quantities; type of opening (sliding, open, casement, tilt-and-turn window), and the orientation of the property.

Then, when choosing the company that will carry out the installation, ensure that they are companies that, for the performance of the activity, are registered in the CLASSE+ energy labeling system . And then compare proposals that, within the amount you are willing to pay, offer quality, comfort and energy savings.

4. Bet on energy efficient appliances

Due to heating appliances, in winter the energy bill can rise considerably (around 20%). But you can reduce this percentage if you use appliances with high energy efficiency , such as a higher quality air conditioner. Know that an  air conditioner is about four times more efficient than an electric heater . 

The investment may be higher, but in the long run it ends up saving money , as the energy bill decreases every month.  

There are also hot water production systems, such as heat pumps and hybrid water heaters, which reduce more than 50% of energy consumption to heat water. 

5. Invest in solar panels

Another option that involves a large initial investment, but makes the property more energy efficient are solar panels for the home . It can help you reduce about 60% of consumption . So, if you have a house, you can install the following panels: 

• Thermal solar panels – daily solar energy that heats the water accumulated in a deposit;  
• Photovoltaic solar panels – capture sunlight transforming it into electricity to be used immediately in the house. 

6. LED lamps are preferable

You can also change the light bulbs in your home for LED light bulbs , as they are much more efficient and last longer: up to 30,000 hours . They are even faster to illuminate compared to traditional lamps. 

You should, however, take the same precautions: turn off the lights whenever you are not using them and turn them on only when necessary. 

7. Buy low consumption equipment

If you need or can buy new appliances , choose low-consumption equipment that offers energy efficiency. Larger appliances, such as washing machines or refrigerators, can account for more than 40% of energy consumption at home. 

So, if you can buy the ones that consume less energy , you’ll start saving every month . Like the previous tips, it involves an initial investment, but it pays off in the long run. For this, try to opt for appliances with energy class A++ or higher.