Bromford is shining a light on the benefits of buying a newly built home as part of Big Energy Saving Week.

A recent report from the Home Builder’s Federation (HBF)1 revealed that, on average, buyers of new build properties save over £3,000 on household bills each year, the equivalent of £250 per month.

The report details that in 2023, 85 per cent of new build homes were rated A or B for energy efficiency while less than four per cent of existing homes reached the same standard.  

However, to help homeowners stretch their pound that bit further, Bromford has also released five top tips for saving energy, and keeping some money firmly placed in residents’ pockets.

Catherine Jarrett, Director of Sales and Marketing at Bromford, said: “We’re really proud of our Shared Ownership properties and their energy efficiency, and we’d like to help our customers to keep their bills as low as is practical.

“With the hike in energy costs, we thought some tips on how to get the most of your money would go a long way. We just hope that these tips are able to help at least a few people to save a few pounds.”

1. Stop draughts
   Stopping heat from escaping through gaps could save up to £20 a year on energy bills. You can buy draught-proofing strips for window frames and draught excluders for doorways. Turning the temperature down is usually more tolerable if the warmth stays in the house, and even closing your curtains can help.
   
   
2. Get the most out of your radiator
   Radiator reflectors help recycle the heat emitted from the radiator back into the room and can reduce the energy lost through walls by up to 45 per cent. Try moving your furniture around too, as while it’s nice to feel the warmth of the radiator on the back of the sofa, any furniture placed in front of a heat source will have an effect on its ability to heat up a room.
   
   
3. Pay attention to your thermostat
   Instead of cranking up the heat on the thermostat when feeling the chill, set timers to give a room adequate time to heat up before touching the thermostat, as a boiler will heat up at constant speed no matter what. Also try turning the thermostat down by just one degree, your heating bills could be cut by up to 10 per cent. 2
   
   
4. Watch the washing machine
   Wait for a full load to be ready before running the washing machine. You can save about £15 annually by cutting one weekly wash, and washing at 30 degrees will save you an extra £8 a year.
   
   
5. Shower swiftly
   As tempting as it is to stand under the warm water when it’s cold outside, spending one minute less in the shower can save you £30 a year on your water bill. 3 Invest in more savings by purchasing a water-efficient shower head, which could reduce your utility bills by a further £50 a year.

Energy Saving Week is a national initiative that aims to aid and encourage individuals to save energy while also lowering fuel expenses.

Saving energy at home may lower both carbon emissions and energy expenses, with the campaign urging people, schools, and organisations around the United Kingdom to help in making a difference.

For more information on Bromford and the homes available, go to our Find a Home website.

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¹ https://www.hbf.co.uk/news/newbuild-homeowners-to-save-over-3k-on-annual-energy-bills/

² https://www.wwf.org.uk/challenges/turn-down-one-degree#:~:text=Cutting%20your%20central%20heating%20temperature,bills%20by%20up%20to%2010%25

³  https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-saving-tips/#:~:text=Cut%20your%20shower%20time%20to,to%20the%20Energy%20Saving%20Trust.