10 Ways to Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency

With rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, improving your home's energy efficiency has never been more important. Not only will these improvements help reduce your carbon footprint, but they can also lead to significant savings on your gas and electricity bills.

1. Upgrade Your Boiler

If your boiler is more than 10-15 years old, it's likely operating at much lower efficiency than modern alternatives. Modern condensing boilers can achieve efficiency ratings of 90% or higher, compared to older models that might operate at 60-70% efficiency. This means for every €1 you spend on gas, a modern boiler will convert 90p worth into heat for your home, while an older model might only convert 60-70p worth.

Consider upgrading to an A-rated condensing boiler with appropriate controls. While this requires an initial investment, the long-term savings can be substantial – often between €200-€300 per year for a typical Irish home.

2. Improve Insulation

Heat loss through poorly insulated walls, roofs, and floors is one of the biggest culprits behind energy inefficiency. Adding or upgrading insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency:

• Attic insulation: Ensure you have at least 300mm of insulation in your attic
• Wall insulation: Consider cavity wall insulation or external/internal wall insulation for solid walls
• Floor insulation: Insulate under wooden floors or add insulated flooring on solid floors

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers grants for many insulation improvements, making this an even more attractive option.

3. Seal Drafts

Drafts can account for up to 15% of heat loss in your home. Take time to identify and seal drafts around:

• Windows and doors (use draft excluders, silicone sealant, or weatherstripping)
• Floorboards and skirting boards (use flexible fillers or decorator's caulk)
• Chimneys (use a chimney balloon when not in use)
• Letterboxes (install a letterbox brush or flap)

This is a low-cost improvement that can make a noticeable difference to your comfort and energy bills.

4. Install Smart Heating Controls

Smart heating controls allow you to manage your heating more effectively by:

• Programming different temperatures for different times of day
• Setting different temperatures for different rooms (zone control)
• Controlling your heating remotely via smartphone apps
• Responding to actual weather conditions

These systems can reduce gas consumption by 20-30% by ensuring you only heat your home when and where it's needed.

5. Upgrade to Double or Triple Glazing

Single-glazed windows are a major source of heat loss. Upgrading to double or triple glazing can reduce this heat loss by 50-70%. Modern glazing also often includes low-emissivity coatings and argon gas fills to further improve thermal performance.

While window replacement requires a significant initial investment, it improves comfort, reduces noise, and can add value to your property alongside the energy savings.

6. Use Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)

TRVs allow you to control the temperature of individual radiators in different rooms. This means you can reduce heating in rooms you use less frequently while maintaining comfortable temperatures in your most-used spaces.

Installing TRVs is relatively inexpensive and can reduce your heating costs by 10-15% when used effectively.

7. Regular Boiler Servicing

Having your boiler serviced annually not only ensures it's operating safely but also helps maintain its efficiency. During a service, a gas engineer will:

• Clean key components
• Check for optimal combustion
• Identify potential issues before they cause breakdowns
• Verify safety systems are working correctly

A well-maintained boiler can be up to 15% more efficient than one that hasn't been serviced regularly.

8. Consider Renewable Technologies

While gas remains a common heating fuel in Ireland, complementing your system with renewable technologies can further improve efficiency:

• Solar thermal panels for hot water heating
• Heat pumps (which can work alongside your gas boiler in a hybrid system)
• Biomass boilers for an alternative heating source

The SEAI offers grants for many renewable energy technologies, making these more accessible to homeowners.

9. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

When replacing gas appliances such as cookers or fires, look for models with high energy efficiency ratings. Similarly, energy-efficient electrical appliances reduce your overall energy consumption.

The EU energy label system makes it easy to identify the most efficient options, with A+++ being the most efficient classification for many appliance types.

10. Change Your Habits

Finally, sometimes the simplest changes can make a significant difference:

• Lower your thermostat by 1°C (this can reduce heating bills by up to 10%)
• Close curtains at dusk to reduce heat loss
• Only heat rooms when they're in use
• Use hot water efficiently (shorter showers, fully loading dishwashers)
• Regularly bleed radiators to ensure they're working efficiently

These no-cost or low-cost changes can add up to meaningful savings over time.

Conclusion

Improving your home's energy efficiency doesn't have to happen all at once. By implementing these changes gradually, starting with the most cost-effective options, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and bills while creating a more comfortable home environment.

At EmeraldGas, we're committed to helping our customers optimize their gas usage through efficient appliances, regular maintenance, and expert advice. Contact us today to discuss how we can help improve your home's energy efficiency.