News
Friday 12 June 2009
5 Things to Ask Your Builder About Energy Efficiency
In a survey of 401 Scots, half of the respondents said that they had never had a tradesperson recommend energy efficiency measures in their home. Read on for the Top 5 Things to ask your builder to make sure your home is energy efficient.
1. If you're building an extension or loft conversion ask your builder to check your loft insulation. It can cost as little as £250 with a subsidy to install and could save you up to £205 per year. That means it pays for itself in 1-2 years. And if they are already onsite, installing it then will save you money on labour costs.
2. Is your house draughty? Draught-proofing is a cheap, easy to install measure which could save around £30 per year. All you need is a tube of flexible filler or some draught proofing strips from the DIY store. Look for draughts around windows and doors, light fittings and other service areas.
3. If your builder is pulling up floorboards or re-laying floors, it's a great time to consider underfloor insulation. This sits underneath the floorboards and makes sure rooms stay warm in winter and less draughty. It will cost around £90 for materials and you could save around £50 a year depending on how many rooms it can be installed in.
4. If you're having some plumbing work done or they're working with exposed pipework, you could save money by having them lagged. Lagging hot water pipes or the cold water pipes next to them reduces wasteful heat loss and means you could save money off your water bill too. It will cost around £8 for the materials and could save you around £12 a year.
5. Talk to your builder about whether the work they are completing can improve the energy efficiency of your home. A higher rating on your Energy Performance Certificate will mean lower bills and may even make it easier to sell. If in doubt, ring our advice line on 0800 512 012.
Information from the Energy Saving Trust. Visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk for more energy advice and support.
