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How a new build home can cut your energy bills in winter

Posted 8 December 2016 by Ben Salisbury

A new build home can save you hundreds of pounds each year on heating bills because they are more energy-efficient and less draughty...

New research shows that energy bills are lower during the winter for new build homes.

Barratt Homes found that the average energy bill for households in 2016 will be £737 but for new home owners the cost of heating bills will be lower because their homes are more energy efficient and less draughty.

Barratt found that the age of the home is the most significant factor on heating bills. The research found that almost 90% of homeowners believed they could save up to £400 on their annual heating bill simply by living in a new build home which use the latest insulation and new double glazing making them up to 55% more energy efficient.

The research found that heating costs vary significantly around the UK. Unsurprisingly, Scotland heads the list as the most expensive part of the UK for annual heating bills, followed by Wales and then London, with the East Midlands the cheapest region.

​Graydon Worthing, Sales Director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, said: “We’ve found that many people feel cold in their own home, despite spending hundreds on their heating bill, but new homes are much more energy efficient than older ones.

“As well as being more airtight and better insulated than older homes, our new homes use the latest boilers and modern low heat loss cylinders, which keep water hotter for longer. We also have an energy calculator available online, where customers can see how much they could save on their bills in a new Barratt home.”

Meanwhile, further research from Ovo Energy reveals that over half of the UK population, 53%, think they don’t do enough to save energy at home and 46% of people don’t know which appliances cost the most to run with Brits biggest energy-wasting habit is leaving devices plugged in overnight.

More than 40% leave their phone or laptop charging while they are asleep and a further 31% leave devices plugged in even after they are fully charged, with young people aged 18-24 the worst offenders.

Other common ways of wasting energy include leaving the TV on standby overnight and leaving the tap running whilst cleaning teeth.

Whatever type of home you live in, there are ways to reduce the cost of heating and energy in your home but all new build homes come with a programmable timer and thermostat, allowing you to only use energy when and where you want the heat to go on.

Other ways to keep costs down include:-

Keeping radiators clear of furniture increases their efficiency

Turn off radiators and lights in empty rooms

Don’t boil a full kettle when you are making just one cup of tea or coffee

Draw the curtains or blinds at night and use draught-excluders for doors

Only use the washing machine and dish washer when you have a full load

Use the shower for one minute less than normal and turn down the thermostat by one degree to see the difference it makes to your heating bills

Consider living in a new build home, which can be up to 55% more energy efficient than an upgraded Victorian equivalent

If you have a loft, consider insulation.  You could save energy by topping up the thickness of the insulation from 100mm to the recommended 270mm

To find out how you can save money on energy bills in a new build home and to understand more about how Barratt Homes help you stay warm, visit this link


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