From better insulation to solar grants and smart plugs, 2022 is all about energy efficiency

Green upgrades for your home.

From better insulation to solar grants and smart plugs, 2022 is all about energy efficiency.

With energy costs spiraling, many of us are becoming more aware of our energy use than ever before. If you’re a homeowner, there are lots of ways you can increase the efficiency of your home and lower your monthly bills while reducing your carbon footprint.

As an ethical lender, Great Western Credit Union supports initiatives that have a positive impact on the world we live in. It means we’re committed to funding eco-focused projects that benefit families and the environment.

Here are some ideas of how you can go greener as a homeowner, from large-scale changes to simple quick fixes.

Better insulation for a greener nation

Insulation technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, making it possible to retrofit high quality insulation products without too much disruption.

Uninsulated walls are a huge source of heat loss. For cavity walls, you can have them injected with a special wall insulation via holes from the outside of the house, which are then sealed closed. If you have solid walls, you can have insulation boards attached to the inside or outside of your walls before being finished with plasterwork or render. Insulating your walls is a complex project that should be done by a professional. Prices vary widely, and it’s worth getting several quotes to make sure you’re getting a fair price.

Insulating a loft is relatively cheap and easy to do, and involves laying rolls of insulation down, first between the joists and then a second layer over the top. Keen DIYers may be able to do this without paying for a pro.

Insulating the ground floor of your home can also make a difference. In an older home, installing insulation rolls between the underfloor joists will help to prevent draughts. A simpler, though less effective fix is to fill any gaps between floorboards with a sealant.

Going solar

Solar panels offer a way to make your own electricity via photovoltaic (PV) panels on your roof.

The average cost of installing PV panels and a full system on a home is £6,500. You’ll need a decent amount of roof space to have solar panels fitted, and a south facing, unshaded roof is ideal, although an east or west facing roof may still work. Solar installation companies will be able to advise on the suitability of your home for the panels. Again, it’s a good idea to shop around for quotes to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

The lowdown on heat pumps 

Heat pumps are a low-carbon alternative to heating your home with gas, LPG or any other system. With the government acting to phase out gas boilers to meet emissions targets, heat pumps will soon become a lot more common.

There are two types – air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). They work by absorbing heat from either air drawn from outside or geothermal heat from the ground. They then compress it, which makes it warmer, and this is used to heat water which is then pumped through your radiators or underfloor heating.

Powered by electricity, they have the potential to make zero emissions if you opt for a renewable energy tariff, while running at a similar cost to other heating systems.

The cost of the pump and installation generally adds up to between £5,000 and £10,000, and there are currently grants of up to £5,000 available from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

An Advantage Loan can help you go greener

One of Great Western Credit Union’s guiding principles is to make our local economies and communities stronger. As well as fair lending, this includes a commitment to sustainability, whether that’s investing in local green initiatives, like the Bristol Energy Cooperative’s solar bond, installing solar panels to power our Bristol office or making personal loans available for your own energy-efficiency upgrades.

GWCU’s Advantage Loan offers a competitive rate of interest of 4.9% APR representative on loans from £7,500 to £15,000, with no charges for overpayments or settling your loan early.

To apply for an Advantage Loan, members must be a homeowner or have an excellent credit score.

Visit greatwesterncu.org, email info@gwcu.org.uk, or call 0117 924 3479, to find out more.