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Improving Energy Efficiency Amid Rising Heating Bills | Arthur Online

Written by Arthur Online | Oct 11, 2024 8:39:35 AM

Gas and electricity prices increased by another 10% in England, Scotland, and Wales on 1 October 2024. This means the typical annual dual-fuel bill will be £1,717 under the new energy price cap, which covers 28 million households in England, Wales and Scotland. 

The energy price cap is set every three months and limits what a typical dual-fuel household pays for each gas and electricity unit. It also sets a maximum daily standing charge. 

In the face of this rise, there are effective ways that property managers can boost the energy efficiency within their properties.

 

Insulation and double-glazing

Insulation is one of the most obvious ways to improve a property's energy efficiency. Older homes will have weaker insulation, which means it is more challenging to maintain an even temperature—in other words, the property will get warm when the heating is on but quickly cool when it is turned off. 

How to spot if insulation is poor: 

  • A draught can be felt moving through the property
  • Some rooms feel colder than others
  • Condensation on the windows
  • High energy bills
  • There is damp on the walls, ceilings or floors
  • Structural damage

Double-glazing is a form of thermal insulation, so if windows are only single-glazed, heat will be lost from the property much more quickly. Replacing them will help reduce energy bills and keep the property warm during the colder months. 

But how can energy efficiency be attractive to have within your agency? Find out in our blog. 

 

Boilers

Upgrading to a new energy-efficient boiler can not only increase energy efficiency but cut back on bills. The longer a boiler remains in a property, the less energy-efficient it will become. 

To check a boiler's efficiency, the Energy-related Products (ErP) rating will be located on the boiler itself. It can also be found on the paperwork received when it was installed. However, any installed before 2015 would have a Season Efficiency of a Domestic Boiler in the UK (SEDBUK) rating. 

These ratings can tell a property manager exactly where the boiler is on the energy efficiency scale. For example, the ErP rating uses letters from A to G, with A+++ being the highest and G being the lowest. If a boiler were to receive an A rating, that would mean it was 90% or more efficient, whereas a G would mean 70% or less.

This scale is the same one used for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Learn how to get a rental property assessed for an EPC. 

An upgrade to a better efficiency rating would mean less heat is lost in the process, reducing bills. 

 

Lighting

Though it may not affect heating bills, switching to LED lighting can greatly improve a property's energy efficiency. By replacing halogen lightbulbs with LEDs, carbon dioxide emissions can be vastly reduced. 

For example, according to Energy Saving Trust, carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by up to 55kg a year—equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by driving your car around 190 miles. 

 

Draught-proofing

This is one of the cheapest options in keeping a home warm and once completed, will last a long time. Draughts let in cold air and help heat escape a property, so preventing any unwanted gaps will save a property manager a lot of bother in the future. 

The most common areas where draughts could occur are: 

  • Kitchen
  • Bathroom
  • Utility room
  • Any area with an open fire or flue

For each object set to be draught-proofed, there may be a number of places to consider. For example, if a door needs to be draught-proofed, the following should be considered: 

  • Letterbox
  • Keyhole
  • Gap at the bottom
  • Gaps around the edges

Getting this done professionally is much more likely to save more energy because the right materials will be used. 

 

Appliances

It is always worth ensuring that the appliances supplied in a property are energy efficient. This can be checked on the label of: 

  • Washing machines
  • Fridges and freezers
  • Televisions
  • Dishwashers
  • Ovens
  • Tumble dryers

The following appliances do not have energy ratings: 

  • Kettles
  • Microwaves
  • Smart speakers

 

What this means

As energy prices continue to rise, property managers must prioritise energy efficiency. By implementing strategies such as insulation, double-glazing, upgrading boilers, switching to LED lighting, and draught-proofing, they can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower heating bills. These investments not only benefit the environment but also enhance the overall value and appeal of rental properties. 

Want to keep on top of all of this? Arthur can help.