Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Most homeowners in Ireland, like many people across the world, are acutely aware of the climate crisis and take measures to do their bit for the planet wherever they can. Improving the energy efficiency in your home can be a very important way to reduce your carbon footprint and benefit the environment, and it can also enable you to make significant savings on your heating oil bills, especially during the colder seasons here in Ireland.

At East Cork Oil, we understand that you need to make choices that work for your budget as well as your ethical preferences and we can help you to explore the options. We work hard to bring you the best quality heating oil at competitive prices and we are committed to working with innovators across the energy industry to find greener solutions to all of our energy requirements.

Increasing Energy Efficiency in Your Home

Many new homes are built to optimise energy efficiency, and eco options such as ground source heat pumps are a great choice if you are self building. Realistically, most of us will be working with the home and the heating system we already have, taking steps to increase our energy efficiency to save energy and money.

Here are our top recommendations for you:

Upgrade your insulation. Did you know that poor insulation is one of the biggest culprits of heat loss? You can make a big difference to the efficiency of your home when you pay attention to the areas in which you are most likely to lose energy to poor insulation. Loft insulation is a good place to start, since heat energy rises and often escapes from your home this way. Insulating your attic or loft can prevent up to 25% of the heat loss in your home. Cavity wall insulation is a popular choice for homes in Ireland, preventing heat energy from being lost through your walls, but you will need to ensure that your property is suitable for this type of insulation as it is incompatible with some build types. Pipe insulation is often overlooked, but this can be very easy to install and will reduce the risk of your pipes freezing in the winter as well as preventing heat loss.
Programme your thermostat. A smart thermostat can revolutionise the way you heat your home, allowing you to create a schedule that works for you and your family. A smart thermostat or programmable thermostat can enable you to heat certain rooms and to turn on your heating when you need it rather than having the heating on all day. Using your thermostat effectively means you can monitor your usage and make adjustments to your heating to save energy wherever possible, making it more efficient and reducing waste.
Service your boiler. It is very important to look after your heating system, and having it serviced every year is essential to ensure optimal performance. An annual service will keep your boiler and pipes in great condition and ensure that every element is functioning efficiently, which means that you will use less heating oil to heat your home. An annual service will also flag any problems that are developing within your system and enable you to remedy these before they cause expensive issues that might leave you and your family without heating when you need it most. If your boiler is very old or inefficient, you may need to replace it with a more efficient model in order to optimise energy efficiency in your home.
Seal leaks in your home. Although it may seem negligible, a lot of energy can be lost from your home via small gaps around the windows and doors. You can use sealant or specialist weather strips to fill gaps and conserve energy, and you may also need to pay attention to other areas from which energy can be lost, such as the chimney and the letterbox. You may find that using draft excluders can reduce heat loss from specific rooms and prevent cold drafts when placed under doors.
Use heat when and where you need it. The phrase ‘heat the person, not the home’ can be helpful to remember when you are considering energy efficiency. If you have a large home, or if your family tends to spend time all in one room, you should focus your efforts on providing warm clothing and blankets, as well as heated blankets or throws that can provide localised heat. You can turn off radiators in rooms you are not using, although you should be aware that this can sometimes cause problems with damp or mould in older homes, and encourage your family and guests to layer up rather than turning up the thermostat.
Make simple switches. There are many ways to save significant amounts of energy in your home and some of these are very simple to implement. For example, switching to LED lightbulbs can save 80% compared to traditional bulbs, and turning off lights when you leave the room can add up to considerable savings. Closing doors is an easy way to preserve heat energy in your home, and you can make significant energy savings by boiling the amount of water you need rather than a full kettle each time you fancy a cuppa. Simply lowering your thermostat by one degree can have a substantial impact on your heating bills, and most people will not even notice this small change in the temperature. Teaching your family members about conserving energy can ensure that everyone plays a part in helping the environment and keeping bills down, and these will be useful life lessons as children grow older, too.
Check your heating oil tank. Just as it is vital to ensure that your internal heating system is functioning well, you should have your oil tank checked routinely to make sure that you are not losing energy due to age or wear and tear. Any small leaks in your tank can cause damage to the local environment and you should be aware of regulations in your area that relate to reporting and cleaning up oil leaks. An old or dirty tank can make your heating system less efficient and you may need to look at the best options for your property. We offer tank replacement services and we recommend bonded tanks for maximum safety and efficiency. Every home and every situation is unique, but you can talk with our experienced team and we can help you to find good solutions for your home and your budget.
Research SEAI Grants. In Ireland, there are many different types of grants accessible to homeowners, and these may help you to significantly improve your energy efficiency. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), for instance, offers grants for improvements such as upgrading your insulation, improving your heating system and installing solar panels in your home. It may be possible for you to access a grant that can help you to install more environmentally friendly energy systems that will save you a great deal of money over time and reduce your carbon footprint substantially.

When you want to increase your energy efficiency and reduce your bills, the best place to start is with your current usage patterns. If you can understand when and how you spend your heating budget, you will begin to see where you can save money and energy and this will make a big difference throughout the year. You can also talk to us about buying your home heating oil at the most cost effective time, making the most of our payment plans to ensure that you always have the oil you need.

Quality Home Heating Oil in Ireland

At East Cork Oil, we know that it can feel overwhelming when you are faced with ever increasing heating bills, and we have a range of payment plans and budgeting options to help you manage your energy costs. We have been delivering high quality heating oil across the Southern counties of Ireland for many years and we service homes, businesses and vehicles with reliable and clean fuels, including agricultural, marine and road diesel. Your home heating oil will go further and heat your home more cleanly if it is good quality, and you can rely on us to deliver the very best, every time.

It can be very stressful to run out of oil when you need it most, and our emergency ‘out of oil’ service is designed to prevent you and your family from being left in the cold if this happens. We offer flexible deliveries and we advise ordering your heating oil at times of low demand to make the most of competitive prices and prevent a last minute panic. Our product range includes a comprehensive range of oils, lubricants, replacement tanks and smart tank monitoring systems, and you can talk to us about maintenance and annual management options. Our friendly team will be happy to help you work out the best options for yourself, your family and your home, and we can take care of all your fuel needs to ensure you stay warm and cosy all year round.