Households are already looking at increased energy bills and this could take a second hike next Spring as the Global gas crisis continues to drive market prices to a new high.

Reduced gas supply from Russia, the pandemic recovery and a shortage of renewable energy dynamics plus the recent fire at a UK electricity interconnector in Kent have created an unwanted perfect storm.

Now is definitely the time to look at making your home more energy efficient.

With relatively simple changes such as insulation, ensuring your pipes are property lagged and using energy efficient light bulbs will not only help your chance of a good sale if you are selling your home but also reduce the cost of your energy bills whilst you are living there.

Here are some tips on how to make your home more energy efficient

Review your EPC – this offers a guide to your home, but also provides you with areas you can improve, at David Phillip Estate Agents we use MGF Consultants for all our EPC’s, they can identify areas that will improve your properties energy efficiency.

Loft insulation – whether your home has solid walls or cavity, insulating them can improve your EPC rating and you may qualify for help with the cost too.

By replacing your boiler with a new energy efficient one you could save a few hundred pounds off your energy bill as well as reducing your home’s carbon- emissions – boilers account for as much as 60% of carbon emissions in a gas heated home.

Hanging thicker curtains over windows and doors will prevent heat escaping and once the nights become longer (as they are now) they can make your home seem much more snug too.

Boilers are rated on a scale of A to G with A being the most energy efficient, if yours is at the lower end of the scale then investing in a new one could save you a lot of money in the long term

By purchasing an energy monitor which could cost anything from £25 to £40 (some energy companies provide this for free) the psychological effect of putting it somewhere the whole family can see it can be positive and a good reminder that you need to cut back

Use a water-saving showerhead instead of a bath is a greener option but can also save on energy and water – so double the benefit

Invest in an eco-kettle – some eco kettles can use as much as 30% power – also when choosing appliances like TV’s and fridges, choose one that is the most energy efficient.

Consider solar panels – the energy is derived from the sun’s radiation. (they actually work when it is cloudy too, so don’t let the UK weather put you off) by generating some of your own heat or power, this will enable you to save money on your bills as well as being environmentally friendly. Some panels can warm water too .

Solar panels with a photovoltaic (PV) cells actually generate energy - the Energy Saving Trust thinks.

For further information  call David Phillip Estate Agents t: 01134 676 400 w davidphillip.co.uk e: info@davidphillip.co.uk  a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds.

If you are thinking of selling your home, but not quite ready to market the property, it is key that you get the visual appeal just right and therefore using the very best photographs is vital - the flowers and greenery in the gardens are now at their very best and there are still likely to be a few sunny days before the longer nights start to draw in – so, the perfect time to create beautiful photographs.

We know since the pandemic that gardens and outside spaces are one of the most important things for people looking to buy – this makes the exterior shots of your property even more important.

At David Phillip Estate Agents we use a professional photographer. Henry will edit all photographs to enhance the important details and hide the areas that are not required.

He can make areas look brighter, bigger and more inviting whilst capturing the best and most desirable attributes of your home.

We also use a photographic enhancement service called Dawn to Dusk – beautiful blue skies surrounding your property in the daytime, but beautiful sunsets in the evening.

So why not take advantage of our ‘Early Bird’ Professional photography service which enables you to get your photographs taken in readiness for marketing your property – take a look at our photographed properties on the property portals, all beautifully marketed.

So if you are thinking of selling your home, call us on 01134 676 400 for a free market appraisal by David Phillip.

A: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds W: davidphillip.co.uk