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OTHER GUIDES & TIPS

Revealed: top 5 energy efficiency tips for landlords

Energy bills have increased for around 22 million energy consumers – and they’re expected to escalate again later this year when Ofgem announces the winter energy price cap. Renters will be hit especially hard as they are unable to carry out larger energy efficiency home improvements, which can significantly reduce energy costs.

Landlords can offer their tenants support by offering energy-saving advice and installing energy-efficiency home upgrades. Summer is the perfect time to carry out these home improvements before colder weather creeps up and energy prices go up again.

A noteworthy tip is reminding your tenants to save energy and money, no matter who’s paying the bills, to help everyone. Every household in England, Scotland and Wales will receive a discount of £400 on energy bills from October, with additional support provided for pensioners and the lowest income households.

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Therefore, if you notice your tenant is struggling with their energy bills, there is help available across the UK:

  • In England, Simple Energy Advice is recommended
  • In Scotland, Home Energy Scotland is recommended for funding and advice
  • In Wales, Nest is recommended for tailored advice
  • In Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Energy Advice is recommended

There are also many local services, such as Citizens Advice, that can offer support to those who need it.

If you’re a landlord, these top tips will help you to improve the energy efficiency of your home and help your tenants save energy and money on their bills.

Focus on insulation

Knowing which energy efficiency measures represent the best value versus impact can help landlords understand the most effective changes they can make. Even small insulation tweaks can have a significant effect on an EPC rating and energy bills.

Insulate your loft and walls to prevent energy from being lost, while draught excluders can help to prevent energy from escaping from draughty rooms which are more commonplace in older and period homes.

In new buildings, greater levels of insulation can be achieved by using high-performance insulation and non-traditional wall systems that offer additional insulation. Replacing doors and windows to avoid air leaks in existing buildings can also be a great investment.

Opt for the right ventilation system

The most energy-efficient homes will be airtight to prevent energy from easily escaping, but you also want to keep things well-ventilated. To do this, you’ll need a functional ventilation system to maintain good air quality and prevent the accumulation of moisture.

Heat recovery ventilators are systems that use the outgoing air from your building to heat incoming air. In the summer, air from your property can cool air coming from outside.

Purchase certified equipment

Keep a close eye on the market for high-performance, energy-efficient systems and equipment. Products which are Energy Star certified will tend to be in the top 15%-30% of their class for energy performance.

An Energy Star certified computer, for example, will use 30% to 65% less energy than a typical non-certified model, depending on its use. These products are constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay informed about new developments.

Invest in LED

Upgrading to LED lighting can help you reduce your energy use by 75% compared to incandescent lighting.

You can also use sensors in infrequently used spaces such as guest bedrooms and bathrooms to cut down on energy use.

Install a smart thermostat

A smart thermostat takes the guesswork out of how to make your home more energy-efficient. These Wi-Fi-enabled devices control your home’s heating and cooling temperatures for optimum performance.

These work by learning your temperature preferences and your schedule. After a few days, the smart thermostat will adjust if you are sleeping or away from home.

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