Improving energy label: how to do it?
Your home's energy label shows at a glance how energy efficient your home is. You've read about it, you understand the importance, but your home has a less than favorable label. So you're thinking: how can I improve it? Good news, it's often easier than you think and you'll also save money in the long run. Let's go through it step by step.
Why a better energy label?
A better energy label is not only good for the environment but also for your wallet. You save on energy costs and the value of your home goes up. And if you ever decide to sell, a house with a good energy label is more attractive to buyers.
First steps: insulation
The fastest gains are usually achieved with insulation.
- Roof insulation: Heat rises, so with a poorly insulated roof, you lose a lot of heat. Roof insulation can improve your energy rating by one or two steps.
- Floor and wall insulation: A lot of heat can also be lost through the floor and walls. Proper insulation of these can make a huge difference.
Double glazing and blinds
Single-pane glass is an energy leak. With double glazing, or even high-efficiency glass, you retain heat much better. Shading can actually help keep the house cool in the summer, which in turn saves on air conditioning costs.
Heating: go for efficiency
Another big consumer: heating. An old central heating boiler can be a real energy guzzler.
- High-efficiency boiler: Consider replacing your old boiler with a high-efficiency boiler. These are much more efficient at converting fuel to heat.
- Heat pump: One step further is the heat pump. This draws heat from the air or ground to heat your home. This is a bigger investment, but can even bring your home up to energy label A.
Solar panels and green energy
With solar panels on your roof, you generate your own green power. Not only is this good for the environment, but you'll notice it in your energy bills. Using other forms of green energy can also significantly improve your energy label.
Small adjustments, big difference
Also consider small changes such as LED lights, draft strips and water-saving faucets. They seem like small things, but all together they can add up to a lot.
Improving your energy label often requires investment: both time and money. But that investment pays off. You save on your energy costs and contribute to a better environment. And should you ever want to sell your home, it will also have a higher value with a better energy label. So what are you waiting for? Time to get started!
