Mark Sait, CEO and founder of sustainability and money-saving experts, SaveMoneyCutCarbon (SMCC) shares advice for building new homes or doing renovations in a way that will benefit the planet and your bank balance

  • The placement of the thermostat has a direct impact on utility bills – they measure the temperature around them so if you install one in a cold or hot room, they will not read a true temperature of the building. Place yours in a regularly used room, in a place that will go unobstructed, to ensure it will sense the temperature correctly and adjust accordingly.
  • Install a smart thermostat to control the settings from your smartphone, optimising its usage and decreasing energy costs. According to Energy Trust the correct use of a thermostat can prevent 330kh of carbon dioxide and save £100 per annum.
  • Insulation is key – 25% of domestic heat is lost through the roof. Greener options than mineral wool insulation include sheep’s wool quilt or loose cellulose made from recycled newspapers.
  • Eco-friendly showers and taps can help save on energy and water bills (as well as reducing carbon), while still delivering on shower experience. For example, Methven Waipori uses just 9 litres of water per minute, whereas the UK average is 12.
  • LED lighting – research shows that it costs £25 to run an old 60-watt incandescent light bulb for 10-hours a day, whereas an LED bulb can cost as little as £1.50 a year.
  • Remember that there are significant changes to building regulations coming this June which will mean that any new buildings (domestic or commercial), as well as those undergoing significant renovations, will need to produce 30% less carbon emissions and include EV charging points. Implementing the most up-to-date environmental elements now will keep you ahead of the curve and save on energy and water bills.

More tips are outlined at savemoneycutcarbon.com or can be found on SMCC’s app by searching ‘SaveMoneyCutCarbon Home’ on both Apple and Android devices. 

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