INsulation

The type of insulation in your property has an affect on how energy efficient it is. The insulation will essentially keep your home warm in the winter in the same way that a jacket does. The better thermal performance or the thicker the insulation, the less heat will escape. It also work the other way too, keep your home cool on hot summer days.
Insulation can be present in the floor, inside the walls, outside the walls within ceilings and within roofs.
As well a making the project compliant with UK building regulations, using the correct type of insulation will reduce your energy bill significantly. Also, the comfort level of your home will increase as temperature variations won’t be as high.
Other benefits include damp prevention and noise reduction as sound becomes muffled through insulation.

Double/ triple glazing

The thermal performance of glazing play a big roll in energy efficiency. Energy is lost through glass, especially in parts of the building where a lot of glazing is used, modern looking extensions can be affected by this. 
Higher thermal performance glass such as double and triple glazing are essential in reducing the energy loss. Depending on the amount of glass used, the energy loss can be calculated and then the type of glass required can be selected accordingly. It may not be cost effective to select the absolute best thermal performance glass when the calculations show the building has a high energy performance rating anyway.

Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is a far more energy efficient way to heat your property than conventional wall radiators. There is a common myth that underfloor heating is an expensive way to heat your home, but in reality they can actually be cheaper than radiators.
As well as the satisfying feeling of walking around on warm floors in the winter, underfloor heating also distribute heat around your home far more evenly, which in turn raises the overall comfort level. The other great benefit is that you can put furniture whereever you like as you won’t need to have wall radiators.
The downside to underfloor heating is that it take a little longer to heat up than conventional radiators, but correct programming will ensure that you wont notice, especially with all the other benefits.

MVHR

If installing a ventilation system, ensure that that it is a heat recovery system. This means that the heat in expelled air is absorbed by the fresh air before in enters the room and avoids energy wastage.

Lighting

Harnessing natural light from windows and skylights is the ideal as the quality of light is generally higher than artificial lighting.
Where artificial light is used, the light bulbs should be the low voltage, high efficient type. Cost and energy  savings by using energy effigy lighting are high.

Climate control

In this high-tec era, climate control technologies are now widely available for domestic use at a low cost.
Climate control systems will automatically control your home . A touch screen control panel, thermostats and humidistats monitor the internal environment. If the internal temperature increases too much on sunny days, roof-lights will automatically open and close to let out the heat until the desired room temperate is achieved. Blinds on roof light can also open and close accordingly to reduce solar gain. Roof-light will automatically close if it starts raining. If you take a shower and the bathroom becomes steamy, vents on roof-lights will open to allow humidity to escape. If you leave your home all roof-light will close to ensure the property is secure. Velux manufacture a roof-light that has integrated solar panels and thus do not require power to work.

Recyled materials

incorporating recycled materials into the design means that you will be reducing the carbon footprint of the project. Recycled building materials are available for various components such as joists, insulation, concrete and bricks. 

Solar panels

The use of solar panels in the UK is growing from strength to strength. Modern panels are more efficient in producing electricity, cheaper and thinner. Solar panel integrated building products are also available now. 

Ground source & air source heat pumps

Save energy and money by pre heating water with an air source or ground source heat pump before is goes through your boiler.