Everyone is looking to reduce energy consumption these days. Not only do we want to save some pennies, but the planet, too.
For the elderly and those with disabilities, however, it can be harder to cut back.
Accessible lifestyles often use more energy, with homes equipped to power essential equipment and stay warmer for longer. Even the laundry can pile up faster, meaning the washing machine is always on the go.
The good news? Some adaptations can be energy-efficient. And we’re about to tell you exactly what they are.
Keeping The Heat In
Heat escaping through windows accounts for a huge 10% of the average UK home’s heat loss. This can make rooms feel colder and whack up your energy bills, which, let’s face it, is far from ideal.
The simplest and easiest way to keep that much-needed heat in is to cover your windows. Let’s take a look at which window coverings work best as energy-saving adaptations for accessible homes.
Curtains
Though they provide minimal light control, heavy curtains have been traditionally used to help retain heat, and they can work wonders as simple energy-saving adaptations. Curtains are also available to buy in a diverse range of colours and patterns.
However, curtains can make rooms feel too dark and can be tricky to operate for people living with reduced mobility.
Blinds
There are several different types of blinds, and each style has different capabilities. Water-resistant blinds are best for bathrooms and areas of high humidity, for example, and Venetian blinds can give lounges and living rooms the perfect combination of light control and privacy.
When it comes to keeping in the heat, the optimal blind style is the cellular blind. Constructed from a specially designed honeycomb structure that traps air to provide a barrier against heat or cold, cellular blinds keep you comfortable indoors whilst cutting down on your energy bills.
Shutters
Shutters are solid wooden structures that form a tight seal against your window for the utmost energy efficiency. With no pesky halo of light emanating from their edges, shutters expertly retain heat and provide the gold standard of privacy; we rate shutters as one of the top energy-saving adaptations for accessible homes.
There are a variety of shutter styles on the market that offer thermal capabilities and differing levels of light control depending on your space and your personal preference.
The best bit? All window covering options can be motorised for easier, comfier operation.
Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats give you complete remote control over your heating system by hooking it up to the internet.
This means that you can set up a schedule for when the heating comes on and off, as well as control the temperature, even when you’re not nearby. All through the use of a smartphone app.
Most smart thermostats also offer the ability to heat different parts of your home independently. This can be called multi-room or multi-zone control.
Energy-saving adaptations for accessible homes don’t get better than this, especially when they are tied into smart home technology like the Amazon Echo for voice control and total convenience. To get one installed in your home, you’re looking at somewhere between £100 and £250.
Smart Lighting
Smart LED bulbs contain software that connects via the internet to an app on your smartphone or a smart home hub like the Amazon Echo.
Using smart lighting allows you to control lights remotely and set them to preset schedules, meaning you reduce wasted energy from lights left on when not in use.
Not only is smart lighting a great addition as energy-saving adaptations go, but it can also drastically improve the safety of a property for individuals living with reduced mobility.
Level Access Shower
Installing a level access shower, where the shower tray sits level with the rest of the bathroom floor, encourages the use of showers over baths – which use a considerable amount more water.
Level access showers are also often a safer option for people with reduced mobility because they reduce the risk of trips and falls when stepping over a raised tray edge. Introducing grab rails and shower stalls further increases the comfort and security of users.
Using a thermostat showerhead is another way of improving its energy efficiency. Thermostatic showers combine water from the hot and cold water supply to ensure the shower water doesn’t get too hot.
Induction Hob
What about energy-saving adaptations in the kitchen? This space of the home tends to use a lot of energy due to the heating and cooking of foods that take place.
Induction hobs are the most energy-efficient pieces of kitchen kit you can install in accessible homes. Faster and safer than gas or electric hobs, induction hobs heat the pan itself rather than the hob, meaning the hob stays almost completely cold.
Induction hobs mitigate the risk of burns and also tend to come with a built-in child-safety lock for peace of mind. They are also far easier to clean!
Insulation
Poor property insulation can make a home cold and damp. Unpleasant to live with, these conditions can also begin to permanently affect the structure of the home if serious and left untreated.
By ensuring your home’s insulation is tip top – and we mean wall, roof AND window insulation – you save on heating bills and reduce the risk of mold ruining your furniture and personal belongings.
Many of the UK’s homes suffer from poor insulation, and there are some grants available to help with the costs. Find out more about them and check to see if you’re eligible here.
Energy-Saving Adaptations Help Save Your Pennies
Accessible homes bear a greater energy burden, but these steps can help reduce the effect your adapted home has on your wallet – as well as the planet.
Looking for an experienced home adaptations specialist who can work with your Occupational Therapist to achieve great results? See our website to find out more about us.
