Saving energy: How to maximize the efficiency of your home?

What’s the difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation?

• Energy efficiency means optimising energy use to perform tasks without waste.
• Energy conservation involves reducing energy use through behavioural changes.

Improving your home’s insulation or adopting advanced technologies are examples of energy efficiency. These measures reduce the energy needed for heating, cooling, or powering devices. On the other hand, turning off unused lights or lowering the heating are acts of energy conservation resulting from mindful habits.

Small actions, big impacts: simple everyday actions can help you reduce your energy consumption. This can include using smart thermostats to optimise heating and cooling or choosing high-energy-efficiency appliances.

The use of renewable energy aims to reduce human dependence on fossil fuels and decrease our carbon footprint. Integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or domestic wind turbines, into an overall energy-saving strategy can reduce your home’s energy consumption while improving its sustainability.

These changes in habits, although minor, add up to make a significant difference to your energy bills and the environment.

Did you know that your roof can be responsible for up to 30% of the heat loss in your home(1)? But that’s not all:

• Air leaks and ventilation can account for between 20% and 25% of heat loss
• Your walls can lose up to 25%
• Your windows between 10% and 15%
• Your floors between 7% and 10%
• Thermal bridges can account for up to 10%

One of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption is by improving the insulation and airtightness of your house, room by room.

Good insulation for walls, roofs, windows, doors, and floors helps maintain a warm home in winter and a cool one in summer, reducing the need for heating and air conditioning. Additionally, sealing cracks and installing draft excluders can eliminate unwanted draughts.

To learn more, explore our articles dedicated to home insulation in the Renovation section of the VELUX Magazine.

Selecting home appliances with a favourable energy label can significantly reduce your electricity bills. These devices consume less energy to perform their tasks compared to older, less efficient models.

How to choose the right appliances to save energy?

• Assess performance: The energy label provides an overview of an appliance's energy and environmental characteristics. It includes the energy class, ranging from A (or A+++) for the most efficient, to G for the least efficient, and details the annual energy consumption in kWh. It also indicates specific data, such as water consumption for washing machines, noise levels for refrigerators, the manufacturer's name, and the product model reference.
  
  
• Products covered: The energy label is mandatory for a range of appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, extractor hoods, washing machines, tumble dryers, televisions, electric lamps, light fixtures, air conditioners, heaters, and water heaters.
  
  

Opting for energy-efficient appliances is a smart long-term investment that benefits both your wallet and the environment.

Heating and air conditioning account for a substantial portion of a home's energy consumption. To save energy:

• Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature according to your occupancy schedule, reducing unnecessary energy usage.
  
  
• In summer, adopt natural ventilation strategies to increase the feeling of coolness without excessively resorting to air conditioning.
  
  
• In winter, make sure your heating systems are well maintained to maximise their efficiency.

To help you save energy, consider upgrading your home’s energy efficiency by replacing outdated equipment, such as old gas boilers or obsolete water heaters. Modern, energy-efficient systems can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower your bills while improving your home’s overall sustainability.

Maximising natural light in your home reduces reliance on artificial lighting during the day, resulting in energy savings and lower CO2 emissions.

Innovative products like blinds, roller shutters, and roof windows can optimise natural light, ensuring it enters your home uniformly and deeply. Depending on their size, type, and positioning, these features improve energy efficiency and visual comfort by allowing precise control over light intensity and creating strategic openings.

Good to know: Beyond energy savings, natural light offers notable health and well-being benefits. It regulates your circadian rhythm (internal clock), enhancing sleep quality, mood, and productivity(2). Adequate exposure to natural light can also help prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), particularly in winter when daylight is limited.

Implementing energy management systems in commercial buildings enables the monitoring and regulation of energy consumption.

• These systems identify areas of inefficiency and provide real-time data to optimise energy use.
• By automating lighting, heating, air conditioning, and water systems, businesses can achieve significant energy savings.

Incorporating sustainable design elements can reduce reliance on energy-intensive systems:

• Use high-quality insulation materials and double or triple glazing to improve thermal efficiency.
• Implement natural ventilation systems to reduce the need for air conditioning.
• Design buildings to maximise natural light, minimising the dependence on artificial lighting.
• Combining these strategies helps to lower overall energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable environment.

Employee involvement is key to achieving energy efficiency in the workplace.

• Encourage practices like turning off unused devices, opting for stairs over lifts, and reducing water consumption.
• Maximise the use of natural light to reduce energy usage.
• Organise training and awareness campaigns to cultivate a culture of energy efficiency within your organisation.

Smart electrical grids and meters are revolutionising energy distribution and consumption:

These technologies provide real-time data, enabling businesses and suppliers to optimise energy use.

Smart grids facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, supporting a smooth and sustainable energy transition.

Switching to LED lighting is one of the simplest, most effective energy-saving measures:

LED bulbs use up to 85% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last significantly longer.

They offer superior lighting quality, making them suitable for a variety of commercial and domestic applications.

The shift towards electrification and advanced energy storage solutions is crucial for reducing CO2 emissions:

Electric vehicles (EVs), when paired with renewable energy sources, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, providing a cleaner alternative for transport.

Energy storage technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, allow excess solar or wind energy to be stored for later use, ensuring optimal utilisation of renewable resources.

Smart roof windows offer a revolutionary way to enhance energy efficiency and comfort:

They can automatically regulate light, ventilation, and temperature, reducing reliance on heating and air conditioning systems.

Advanced features include rain, CO2, temperature, and humidity sensors, as well as opaque glazing and secure locking for privacy and security.

These windows integrate seamlessly with home automation systems, allowing centralised control of the indoor climate via a smartphone or remote control.

Smart roof windows contribute to a healthier and more energy-efficient environment while ensuring enhanced comfort and security.