Homeowners undertake home renovation works for lots of different reasons. We do find that, here at Home Tales, there are a small proportion of our clients that come to us with one objective; to make their homes more energy efficient. We would say that the vast majority of our client’s main objective is to increase space within their home, be that through an extension or a re-shuffle of their existing layout (or in many cases, both). While there is generally one primary goal that a homeowner wants to achieve within their project, there are typically lots of smaller goals that come along for the ride, and increasing energy efficiency is one of them! 

With that in mind, if you are undertaking a home renovation or extension, it’s a fantastic opportunity to create a more energy efficient home. Traditional London properties were built a long time ago, developed primarily in the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras. Since then, building standards and technology have come a very long way. Technology and newly discovered materials enable homes to be better insulated and more efficient at functioning. 

Creating a more energy efficient home not only helps you save the planet, but it can also save you money on your monthly bills. There are lots of ways you can incorporate energy saving techniques into your build. We thought we would talk through just some of them. 

Insulation

The use of cavity concrete blocks (instead of regular bricks) enables the use of external wall insulation. Even though its more expensive to do, it will reduce your energy by around 40% so it will pay off in the long term.

Underfloor Heating 

Underfloor heating is a wonderful addition to the home and keeps your toes toasty in the winter months. It is far more efficient than the traditional radiator as it doesn’t require such an extreme heat. While it is more expensive to install (£2k to £5k for a typical room), it is cheaper to run. Underfloor heating heats to a much lower temperature then radiators, so the running costs are lower. 

Radiators 

If you are opting for radiators, when it comes to planning where to have them, avoid putting them near large items of furniture, such as sofas and sideboards. These objects tend to absorb the heat which takes away from the rest of the room. If you are windows are old, avoid putting radiators near them, as the hot air will simply rise and escape through the gaps. All heating methods can be amplified through draught proofing. This is simply blocking unwanted gaps that let in cold air. 

LED Lights

LED lights have grown in popularity over the past decade. They have a range of benefits, mostly in that they use 90% less than regular bulbs. While the lamps are more expensive, they have a much longer lifespan. 

Natural Light

Home extensions offer a huge opportunity to utilise natural light. Homeowners often opt for large glass doors or skylights, all of which have been designed to maximise light penetration within the home. We also have some clever design hacks for natural light, such as internal windows or courtyards. 

Replace Your Windows

If you have a Victorian or Edwardian property (or one of a similar era), you will very likely need to replace the windows if they haven’t been done already. These properties were built over 100 years ago, and the glazing we have today is very advanced comparison to the glass used back then. On top of this, there are new techniques with windows nowadays, with special lining to keep gaps to a minimum, which in turn stops hot air escaping. You would be surprised what a difference replacing your windows would make, especially if you go with a reputable manufacturer. We recently replaced all of the windows in our property in South London. The window frames are made from accoya wood, which is a fantastic material for windows and external doors. It is treated wood, and it’s been treated so it doesn’t expand in moisture. In fact, you can keep a piece of accoya in a glass of water for a week, and re-measure it afterwards, and it won’t have changed size at all. 

Do you want more information on how to keep your home energy efficient? We have just suggested some ways here, there are hundreds of things you can do. Give our friendly team a call today on 0207 043 2378 or email us at hello@hometales.co.uk to find out more. You can also book a home visit via our online portal. A member of our architectural team will come and meet you at your property to discuss your project in more detail. Following this visit, we will issue you with a no obligation quote for the works. It is at this stage you can decide whether with our services.