Studies have shown that in the UK, housing alone produces over 30% of carbon emissions. This is an important thing to consider when you’re thinking of extending your home. Traditional home extensions use materials such as brick and concrete. These materials are considered energy-intensive and they generate huge amounts of waste that usually end up at the landfill. If you’re currently considering investing in a garden room, but are afraid that this type of building is not energy efficient, we have good news. Modern garden rooms are much more energy-efficient and eco-friendly than older ones. Garden room manufacturers are using innovative solutions to ensure that these modern structures are convenient alternatives and very comfortable to live in. A garden room can provide you with a beautiful and comfortable extension that will cost less to build and that will help you save money in the years to come.

As you already know, insulation plays an important role in making a building more energy-efficient, but if the main house isn’t properly insulated, then the new and properly insulated extension won’t be too effective either. This is where standalone structures, such as garden rooms become perfect alternatives. So, if you want to reduce your household’s carbon footprint or simply to save money on your electricity bills, you can opt for a garden room instead of a traditional home extension.

How to Make Your Garden Room More Energy Efficient?

If you already have a garden room, there are ways to make it more energy-efficient and to save some money on your electricity bills. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective energy-saving tips and tricks:

Install solar panels on the roof of your garden room

Solar panels are an effective solution if you want to make a substantial change that will save you money long-term. Although this might sound like a difficult task, having a solar-powered system installed on your garden room roof is quite easy. Even an affordable and modest solar power system can save you hundreds of pounds every year. So, if you are considering installing solar panels on your garden shed, it is important to discuss it with a specialist who will offer valuable advice and help you choose the right solar panel setup.

Use landscaping to your advantage

While landscaping is usually about making your outdoor area look nice, it can also have a more practical use. You can plant shrubs and trees purposefully to reduce the energy costs of your garden room, and even of your main house. By planting trees and shrubbery in key locations, around your garden room, you can create shade. If you opt for deciduous species, you will enjoy plenty of shade during the summer and reduce the costs of air conditioning. Deciduous trees will shed their leaves in autumn so the sun will warm your garden room during the winter, so it’s a win-win.

Replace old windows

If your garden room isn’t brand new and you sometimes feel cold radiating from the windows, it’s a sign that you should start looking into replacing the windows. Double-paned models provide better insulation and you don’t have to worry about air leaks. These high-quality windows will keep your home warm during the winter and cooler during the summer. Our modern garden rooms are equipped with double glazed windows and doors which offer a significant advantage and provide a strong barrier against the outside temperatures.

Insulation

If you don’t have a garden room yet but are planning to buy one, make sure you opt for the Floor and Roof Insulation kit as well. Before you hit the purchase button on any of our products, you can also add the Insulation kit to your shopping cart. This is very important because an insulated garden room will be comfortable year-round. So, to avoid being uncomfortable and spending too much money on air conditioning or heating, it’s best to opt for an insulated garden room.

Our insulation kits include all the components and accessories that you will need to insulate the floor and the roof of the garden room. In addition to that, they are easy to install, especially if you’re a DIY expert. If not, you can simply opt for our installation services as well.

It is important to mention that insulation isn’t just useful during the cold winter months. This is a very common misconception and the truth is, insulation is also important during the summer, as it can keep the room cooler. If you plan on using your garden room year-round, as a garden office, like a home gym, as a hobby room, or as a guest bedroom, you need to ensure that you are comfortable every day. So insulation won’t just save you money on heating, but you will also use your air conditioning less during the summer. Therefore, if you already have a garden room that is not insulated, this is a very important aspect that you need to address if you want to make it more energy-efficient. And, an insulated garden room will be easier to repurpose than one that isn’t insulated.

Extra Tips for Saving Money on Your Electricity Costs

• Use natural light as much as possible. Many of our garden rooms are equipped with large double-glazed windows that will let the natural light.
• Avoid letting unnecessary lights on. You can save a lot of money by turning the lights off when you’re not using them.
• Did you know that LED lights use 75% less energy than incandescent lighting? If you still have incandescent bulbs in your home or your garden room, it’s time to replace them. LED lights have many benefits: they last longer than regular bulbs, they are mercury-free, don’t emit UV rays, and are more eco-friendly than older lighting systems.
• Unplug appliances and gadgets when you’re not using them. 10% of an average household electricity bill is owed to unused appliances and electronics.

Want to learn more about our modern garden rooms? Don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call at 020 3807 0369. Our lines are open on weekdays from 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m and weekends from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. You can also visit our Devon display site which is in The Cider Press Center of Dartington Estate.