In light of the ongoing energy bill crisis, UK homeowners have been looking for smarter ways to manage their energy use and find more sustainable energy sources. The cost of living crisis has posed a serious threat to small, short-let businesses across the UK, but there are steps you can take as a holiday let owner to ensure your properties energy use is as efficient as possible. Read on to find out how to improve energy efficiency in your short-let and to learn more about eco-friendly alternatives:

Smart Heating

Heating your holiday home is likely to be your largest expenditure of energy, so investing in a smart heating system allows you some control over this rising expense. Being able to control heating from a handy smartphone app, or using a scheduled system gives you peace of mind that guests haven’t forgotten to switch the heating of before they leave or are using it 24 hours a day. It’s also an easy, digital method of controlling the heating during freezing weather to prevent frozen pipes.

Energy-efficient appliances

Investing in new appliances for your holiday home can be a costly task indeed. However, in the long run, any appliance scoring between A – A+++ is going to save you a lot of money thanks to its energy efficiency. Plus, it’s a lot better for the environment! 

In particular, consider replacing your boiler and radiators, as older models could lose you £200+ per year in energy bills. If you haven’t already, switching your light bulbs to LED bulbs is a small but efficient way to kickstart energy efficiency in your short-let. 

Insulation, insulation, insulation!

The cost of heating our homes during the winter months was a national concern, with average monthly prices soaring to unprecedented levels. However, there are measures holiday homeowners can take to ensure that heat is retained in the house for longer:

• Installing double-glazed windows can be expensive but they are extremely efficient at retaining heat, add extra security and blocking outside noise better.
• Cavity wall insulation is another step to tick off the list to ensure higher energy efficiency, especially if your property was built prior to the 1980s. Professional advice should be sought to ensure the building won’t be affected and the insulation will also have to be fitted by a professional.
• For a quick fix, insulating loft space is more simple, and inexpensive and can be done as a DIY installation. Another top tip is to upgrade your curtains to the thick, high-quality material and check window and door seals to ensure that any draughts are blocked.

Go green

Using renewable energy sources is not only a cheap source of energy, but they are great for the environment and an attractive selling point for eco-conscious guests. Whilst installing renewable energy sources such as solar panels, hydroelectric units and wind turbines are an expensive process; they provide cheap, sustainable power to your home. They are dependent on the weather however so the initial installation cost should be set against the estimated output in your local area.

By implementing these key strategies, you can significantly enhance the energy efficiency of your short let, paving the way for a more sustainable and cost-effective future.