27 September 2023 , 11:49
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Seven in ten Brits are more concerned than ever about the impact they are having on the environment – but the same number admit they simply feel “overwhelmed” by the thought of making eco-friendly upgrades to their home.
A poll of 2,000 UK homeowners revealed some of the top misunderstandings when it comes to retrofitting – the process of carrying out improvement work on a building to boost its energy efficiency.
Nearly two-thirds (61%) say they are held back from undertaking such work on their home, due to misconceptions over the up-front costs – with 17% believing they need to spend at least £20,000 in order to make any difference to their property.
But 67% feel they would be more likely to consider retrofitting if they knew the potential financial and sustainable benefits that come along with it.
It also emerged that the term “retrofitting” itself leaves people baffled, with one in three homeowners (32%) admitting they have never heard the term.
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The research was commissioned by Santander, which has partnered with TV DIY expert, Craig Phillips, to show homeowners how small, simple steps can kick-start a retrofitting journey.
Other top tips include switching to LED lighting, and using a draught excluder at the bottom of doors or windows (Cover Images)The builder, and former Big Brother winner, said: “We know that Brits want to make eco-improvements to their homes, but just don’t know where to start. The best thing about eco-improvements is that it’s so much easier than you think.
“Whether it’s switching lightbulbs, popping a draught excluder across the bedroom door, or adding a lick of carbon-absorbing paint to the walls – even the small steps can make a difference, and help reduce the impact our homes have on the planet.”
Brad Fordham, at Santander UK, added: “It’s clear that while homeowners understand the need to make changes to their property, the retrofitting conversation and the task at hand has felt too vast for them to know how they can get involved.
“With an increasing desire from homeowners to understand and act on their property’s energy efficiency, we want to encourage, educate, and inspire the nation to consider small eco-improvements, as their first step towards making a difference on the impact their home has on the environment – and save some money in the long run, as an added bonus.”
For more information on how Santander can help with eco improvements, please visit here.
CRAIG PHILLIPS' TOP TIPS FOR EASY ECO-IMPROVEMENTS:
- LED lighting: Changing your old Halogen light bulbs to LED is one of the easiest ways to eco-improve your home. LED lights use less energy, and have a much longer life span, too. A simple bulb swap could lead to a much more manageable energy bill, while helping the planet in the process.
- Air gaps: Wherever you feel a slight draught coming into your home – through your letter box, cat flap, windows, doors, loft hatch, or gaps in your walls – the nice warm heat that you’re paying for is escaping. Not good for your pocket or the environment. Head to your nearest hardware store to pick up some draught excluders or expanding foam, and plug gaps around your home.
- Upgrading your loft insulation: If your loft insulation hasn’t been upgraded in the last 10 years, you may find that you could be losing a lot of heat without realising. Investing into just two or three rolls of a new, modern insulation to top up your existing insulation could make a huge difference in the running costs of your heating. It’s okay to lay insulation directly over the top of existing material (crossing it the opposite way) – but make sure you align the edges, and don’t squish it down.
- Sort your radiators: Bleeding a radiator will help heat your home more effectively, as hot water will be able to fill the whole radiator. Air can be easily released from the top of most radiators by using a radiator key, or even a flat screwdriver in some cases. Meanwhile, adding reflective sheets behind radiators can direct heat back into the room, rather than allowing it to be absorbed by the wall.
- Insulating your pipework: Insulation is advisable not just to stop your pipes bursting in the cold weather, but also to help reduce heat loss or gain, depending on the season. Once insulated, hot water pipes will keep hot water travelling to taps and radiators warmer for longer – so you’ll use less energy to heat the water, reducing your overall energy consumption.