Energy efficiency solutions for the home

How can you improve the energy efficiency of your home? Energy efficiency is key to managing your home energy intelligently, without sacrificing comfort or your consumption habits. There are strategies and interventions aimed at maximising the performance of energy-hungry devices, that can help improve their performance with less wasted energy.

Innovative technology, such as smart thermostats and smart meters, together with modern sensor and remote control applications make it possible to monitor household energy consumption. This allows us to learn about and modulate our most wasteful habits, identifying areas for improvement to make our home more efficient, modern and sustainable.

How to improve home energy efficiency

Reducing energy consumption in the home is possible by adopting targeted solutions that improve insulation, optimise heating, and make use of renewable sources. Let’s take a look at the main ones: 

Thermal insulation 

ENEA (National Energy Efficiency Agency) places thermal insulation among its 10 tips for saving on heating. Good insulation can save you up to 40% on heating for the same consumption. Recommended interventions include: 

• Insulation of walls, roofs and floors with insulation materials such as rock wool, polystyrene or wood fibre.

• Replacement of window and door frames with double or triple-glazed models and thermal break frames to prevent heat transfer.

High-efficiency heating and cooling systems 

Choosing efficient systems reduces energy consumption and improves air quality in the home, especially with some effective solutions: 

• Heat pump air conditioners, which are perfect for both winter heating and summer cooling.

• Condensing boilers which recover heat from flue gases, increasing efficiency compared to traditional models.

• Underfloor heating, which distributes heat evenly and avoids heat loss. 

Smart technologies 

The use of smart technologies for home lighting, temperature regulation and the coordination of electronic devices and appliances helps to reduce waste and improve energy management. Smart technologies transform the home into a more efficient, safe and sustainable environment, providing energy savings and comfort without sacrificing practical use. 

Integration with renewable energy sources 

Self-generation of energy reduces dependence on the power grid and lowers costs on the bill. Solar or photovoltaic panels? Here are some solutions you can consider to make your home more efficient. 

• Roof or balcony photovoltaic panels for electricity production, with the possibility of installing a storage system to maximise self-consumption.

• Solar thermal panels for domestic hot water production, ideal for reducing electric water heater or boiler consumption.

• Micro wind and geothermal energy, which are viable alternatives, depending on the geographical location of your home and climate conditions.

Five ways to optimise your energy consumption 

Energy efficiency is not only a matter of structural interventions, but also of good everyday practices that help to optimise energy management and to reduce energy bills, at the same levels of consumption. 

• Regularly check heating systems such as boilers and air-conditioners with heat pumps. Regular maintenance, including cleaning filters, looking at the efficiency of window seals and checking thermostats can make a difference in terms of savings and the performance and longevity of installations. 
• Use appliances wisely by choosing energy-efficient devices in the first place: use them at the most convenient times of day and opt for low-consumption programmes for washing machines and dishwashers. 
• Disconnect devices from the power supply when not in use: TVs, computers and chargers continue to draw energy even when switched off, but thanks to smart plugs it is possible to switch off the power supply remotely.
• Choose smart lighting by installing energy-efficient LED bulbs and exploiting natural light. You can also use motion sensors to switch off lights in unused rooms or adjust their intensity with smart plug sockets. 
• Monitor consumption with a smart meter, such as Enel Energia's 2G meter, to analyse your habits, identify waste and adopt targeted solutions.

Better home efficiency with Enel Energia 

Enel Energia supports you in choosing the best possible solution for your domestic energy. Investing in energy efficiency for your home contributes to saving on your power and gas bills, increasing the value of your home and building a more sustainable future.  

Find out more about products and services to improve the energy performance of your home, high efficiency appliances for more conscious consumption and power and gas offers that accompany you in your daily activities. The world of energy is on enel.it.