7 garden hacks to help cut energy bills
With energy bills set to increase by a record £139 for 15 million households from October 2021, Good Homes magazine reveals seven clever garden hacks to help you save money on your energy bills…
1. Well-positioned trees
Trees can add an extra layer of interest to your garden, providing a place for kids to create treehouses, much-needed shade on a hot day and natural beauty for your outdoor space. It turns out, when growing in the right place, they can also save you money on your energy bills.
A large tree or two in your front or back garden can act as a natural windbreak, meaning you are less likely to get the draft indoors and put the heating on. This can result in a potential saving of up to 25% on energy bills annually. The trees also provide shade during the summer, so you can get a reprieve from the heat by sitting underneath rather than heading indoors for an electric fan or air conditioning unit.
Photo: Jan Huber, Unsplash
2. Install a tall fence
Tall fences can add a whopping 20% of value to your home, which is hardly a surprise given the security advantages it can offer as well as added privacy. The advantages don’t end there though. Just like a large tree, fences can act as a windbreaker meaning you’re less likely to feel the draft and turn the heating up when the temperature drops. So, despite fences costing around £1,000 to build, they pay for themselves when it comes to cutting down on bills and property value.
Photo: Tracey Adams, Unsplash
3. Keep your fridge away from sunlight
Garden bars are a huge trend of the last couple of years with searches for the asset increasing by 80% during February and March 2021. With the pubs opening and closing, they became a consistent alternative to enjoy a spot of outdoor socialising with friends and family. However, to make sure the chilled section of your garden bar is in prime condition, keep your fridge or freezer away from sunlight, just as you would indoors. Heat causes a fridge to work harder, thus costing you more in energy in the long run, so keep your garden bar in the shaded area of your outdoor space.
Photo: Wayfair
4. Electric outdoor heater
With the summer coming to a close, evenings in the garden are finished – unless you have an outdoor heater. Opt for an electric heater over gas and save 15% on your running costs.
5. LED garden lights
As you can probably tell, we’re obsessed with covering our outdoor spaces with plenty of lights so that our evenings outdoors can go on late into the night. Save money on your energy bills by sticking to LED lights, as these use 80% less energy whilst still creating the desired effect. Consider solar lights, too, as these can be a bargain and also use less power.
Photo: Iconic Lights
6. Consider a porch
Not only does a porch add enhanced kerb appeal to your property, but it also acts as insulation for your home. A porch will stop heat escaping, therefore keeping your property warm.
7. Group your plants based on water needs
Plant mamas, we’re looking at you! Typically, our green friends need around 3-4 inches of water around the stem, but you could be giving them a bit too much nourishment. Save water by grouping them by their watering needs, and invest in plants that grow quickly to reduce your water usage. Alternatively, you could also save on water by investing in plants which can survive on less water.
Photo: Dobbies
Research for this article was gathered by BoilerPlanUK
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