Partner Article

Homeowners paying hundreds for heating whilst still shivering

• North West homeowners expect to pay on average £772 for heating
• 90% still feel cold in their home despite heating
• 9 in 10 homeowners believe living in an energy efficient home could save them up to £400

As winter continues to bite new research from Barratt Homes shows that North West homeowners and renters are expecting to pay on average £802 for their energy this year, with nearly a quarter expecting to pay more than £1,000. Yet despite paying through the roof for their energy, almost 90% of North West residents said they still felt cold in their home.

The research also highlights a growing desire to use technology to control our homes and save money. Less than 20% of people think they couldn’t save money by having better heating controls, whilst almost a third of North West homeowners (30%) deem using a smart phone to remotely set their heating too technologically complicated.

The age of a property is one of the biggest influences on a heating bill. The research showed that 9 in 10 North West homeowners estimated they could save up to £400 on their annual heating bill just by living in a more energy efficient new build home. New homes typically have energy saving features such as the latest insulation, high levels of airtightness and new double glazing.

Whilst those in Scotland predictably expect to spend more, those in London surprisingly look set to pay more than those in the chillier climes of Yorkshire, the North East and the North West. Homeowners in the East Midlands expect to pay the least, just £675 on average.

Using thermal imaging Barratt Homes has highlighted the difference in heat loss from a new build home and a typical Victorian property.

Patrick Law, corporate affairs director at Barratt Developments, said: “We are all spending hundreds of pounds on our heating, yet so many of us are still feeling cold in our homes. Making sure your walls and roof are well insulated will make a massive difference to both your comfort and your heating bill. New homes are also much more energy efficient than older ones – by up to 55%. For instance, we use new highly efficient boilers and modern low heat loss cylinders which keep water hotter for longer. We also make it clear for people to see how much they could be saving in a new build home by having an energy calculator online.”

FIVE ENERGY SAVING TIPS WITHIN YOUR HOME

• Programme your heating. All new build homes come with a programmable timer and thermostat, but if your home does not have one, consider installing one. These allow you to only use energy when you want the heat to go on and to set the temperature you want in separate rooms
• Keep radiators clear of furniture - this increases their efficiency
• Draw the curtains or blinds at night and use draught-blockers for doors – this helps to reduce heat loss
• 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 http://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-is/warm

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anonymous .