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WITH MORE OF us thinking about how to live sustainably, it makes sense to start where we spend most of our time — at home.
Allianz have launched the Green Home Guide to help you get started on several simple changes for a shift to a sustainable lifestyle that fits your needs. Read on to get some easy and practical habits to help you save money, increase comfort, and reduce your impact on the planet.
Home heating & insulation basics
Heating is the biggest energy user in Irish homes — but it’s also where some of the biggest energy savings can be made. A few simple steps can make a big difference. Start by dialling it down: keeping your living spaces at 19°C is ideal; or even lowering your thermostat by just one degree can reduce your heating bill by up to 10%.
Make sure to time your heating to suit your daily routine, turning it off about 30 minutes before you leave the house or head to bed. Retaining heat is key. To do this you can use heavy curtains and blinds to cover windows fully, and seal up draughts with weatherproof strips or insulation film. Doors are another common culprit for heat loss, so use draft excluders or door sweeps to keep the warm air in. Floors matter too — rugs and carpets provide an extra layer of insulation, especially over tiles or hardwood. And while keeping the heat in is important, so is ventilation. Regularly airing out rooms and using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom can help prevent condensation and damp from building up. All in the name of long-term sustainability.
Water heating
Water heating is the second-largest energy zapper in homes — but a few smart tweaks can lead to real savings. Swapping baths for showers is a great first step. Showers use about half the hot water of a bath, meaning less water and less energy used.
You should switch up your approach to hot water depending on the season. In winter, it’s more efficient to use your central heating system, since it’s already running. In warmer months, however, switching to the immersion is the better option. To avoid wasting energy, install a timer on your immersion heater so it turns off automatically — no more “did I leave the immersion on?” panic!
When it comes to laundry, washing on cooler settings can have a huge impact, with nearly 90% of a washing machine’s energy going toward heating water. Always aim for full loads to reduce waste. Finally, insulating your hot water tank with a quality lagging jacket can cut your water heating costs by up to 30%. All these little things added up make a massive difference.
Electricity timings
We rely on electricity to power almost everything in our homes — from lighting and appliances to heating and entertainment. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be smarter about how we use it. A simple start would be avoiding peak usage times between 5pm and 7pm, when electricity is most carbon intensive. Try to delay things like the dishwasher or anything else that can wait until later. Some providers even offer cheaper off-peak rates, so it’s worth checking your plan.
Next, make a habit of unplugging household appliances when they’re not in use — many continue to draw power in standby mode. And when it is time to replace these household appliances, opt for A+++ rated models, which are designed to use significantly less energy and save money in the long run. Finally, upgrade your lighting by switching out old incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs. They consume up to 85% less energy and last much longer, making your home both brighter and more efficient.
Small steps, big difference
The key to going green at home isn’t doing everything all at once — it’s making smart, manageable changes that suit your lifestyle and your budget. Make changes at your own pace. Start with one or two habits and build from there. Whether that’s switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, sealing up draughts, or timing your immersion heater — every change makes a difference.
Find more energy saving tips and information in the Allianz Green Home Guide. And if you’re ready to make bigger improvements, like installing solar panels or a heat pump, Allianz Home insurance includes ‘green home cover’ as standard — which includes cover for environmentally friendly/ renewable energy-based systems. For example, if you experience revenue loss due to damage to your renewable energy systems — such as PV solar panels or wind turbines — Allianz will cover the cost of lost revenue up to €150 per month for a maximum of 6 months.
Make sure your home is fully protected and get 10% off new policies online at www.allianz.ie/home-insurance.
Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria, terms & conditions and minimum premiums of €106.05 for buildings cover, €86.10 for contents cover, and €12.60 for all risks apply.
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