With global events being as they are, the price of energy for homeowners is skyrocketing. This is a significant driver of the modern cost-of-living crisis, and in lieu of any help from central government, it’s down to homeowners to look for strategies for economising. 

Some of these strategies are also aligned with a positive environmental impact as they support renewable energy. So, you can save money and go green at the same time. But how exactly would you go about doing this?

Energy efficient vs green energy

We have not switched to using green energy sources yet for a reason. Despite their many disadvantages, fossil fuels are nevertheless widely available and reasonably priced, thus, renewable energy alternatives have not been actively pursued in the last few years. Anyway, as prices for gas continue to increase, renewable alternatives are gaining popularity amongst consumers.

As a result, you could incorporate a green energy source into your home or business. This might be a photovoltaic solar panel or an air-source heat pump. Whichever you choose, it is crucial to remember that if we want to replace them and maintain our homes as environmentally friendly as possible, we must not only seek greener energy sources but also maximise the energy we can produce from them. By doing this, we can optimise our energy usage at home while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

Methods to implement energy efficiency at home

Different types of homes will demand slightly different strategies when it comes to energy efficiency. Solar panels for the home represent a fairly substantial up-front investment, however in the long term not only can this be recouped but it will also help you save money. But over time, not only may this be made up for, but it will also enable you to save money. Additionally, if you are at home while the sun is out, you may use the energy you aren't consuming to recharge your electric car or feed it back into the grid.

For most homes, it’s loft insulation that will make the biggest difference to your overall expenditure and efficiency. It’s important to consider your property as it currently stands, and take note of any particular weak points. If you have a boiler that’s in dire need of an upgrade, then making the swap might end up generating substantial savings for your home.

Net zero by 2050

The government aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the middle of this century. This is an ambition shared by both major parties, and, depending on which way the political wind blows, it might be that it’s pushed further forward, rather than back.

Net zero means that we’ll be removing more carbon from the atmosphere than we’ll be generating. In pursuit of this milestone, the government has already announced a raft of schemes. Among the more eye-catching is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which incentivises homeowners to install a new boiler or heat pump. Check your eligibility; you might find that you can get up to £5,000 off – or more, in the case of an air-source heat pump.