With energy efficiency and sustainability becoming priorities for many homeowners, insulated garden rooms have grown in popularity as an eco-friendly addition to any property.
But how energy efficient are garden rooms?
The answer is a resounding ‘very efficient’.
Insulated garden rooms are designed to conserve energy by maintaining a more stable indoor temperatures all year-round. This reduces the need for excess heating and cooling, which helps to lower your electricity bill.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the factors that contribute to their impressive energy efficiency and how they can save on running costs.
Main Energy-Saving Benefits of Insulated Garden Rooms
1. Insulation
A quality-made insulated garden rooms is built with high-performance insulation materials. This can be alongside structural insulated panels (SIPs), like what we use, for a double dose of insulation.
Insulation is the main barrier to reduce heat transfer. It stops heat from escaping and heat from entering. The result is a more stable and comfortable internal environment across the winter and summer.
This more consistent temperature is particularly beneficial if you use the space regularly and for long stretches – this is why insulated garden offices have many benefits. You can also read more on insulated vs non insulated garden rooms so you can see the main differences.
2. Decreased heating costs
Heat loss through walls, floors and roofs can drive up energy costs. With quality insulation however, an insulated garden room can retain warmth during colder months, making it much more energy-efficient.
This translates to reduced heating needs, as the warm air generated inside stays trapped within the walls and ceiling. The energy savings here can add up over time, lowering both heating costs and environmental impact. We’ll take a look how much a garden costs to run below.
3. Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors
Windows and doors in insulated garden rooms are more often than not double glazed. This double layer of glass improves the room’s energy efficiency by minimising heat loss. You can even get triple glazed windows which increase the energy efficiency further but will cost more upfront. If you’re interested, you can find out how much garden rooms costs here.
Good glazing works both ways. It prevents warm air from escaping in winter and hot air from entering in summer.
4. Natural Light and Ventilation
Many insulated garden rooms are designed with large windows and sometimes skylights to maximise natural light and ventilation. By harnessing daylight, these spaces reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day, which lowers energy usage.
Ventilation options also reduce reliance on air conditioning, as fresh air circulation keeps the room comfortable in warmer months without additional cooling.
5. Solar Panel Integration
For those seeking to enhance their garden room’s energy efficiency further, integrating solar panels is a smart choice. Solar panels generate renewable energy from sunlight, offsetting electricity usage for lighting, heating and powering devices – it’s a fantastic way to reduce your mains electricity consumption and reduce your bills.
Solar panels do tend to cost more than the other options, however they’re the only option that actually generates energy. Let’s take a look at an example of how they can work out from a financial perspective.
Imagine you installed 2 x 400W solar panels, each costing between £250 and £500. Together, these panels provide a total of 800W of power. With an average of 3 peak sunlight hours per day over the year in the UK, we can estimate the energy generation as follows:
- Daily generation
- 800W x 3 hours = 2,400Wh or 2.4 kWh per day
- Monthly generation
- 2.4 kWh x 30 days = 72 kWh per month
Using the average electricity rate of 24.5p per kWh, here’s how much these solar panels could save:
- Daily savings: 2.4kWh x 24.5p = 58.8p per day
- Monthly savings: 72kWh x 24.5p = £17.64 per month
- Yearly savings: 72kWh x 12 months x 24.5p = £211.68 per year
These savings could make your garden room self-sufficient to run and more or less off-grid as far as the energy goes – this makes your garden room a more eco-friendly, sustainable space.
Over time, these savings will add up, allowing homeowners to recoup the initial investment in the panels in just a couple of years.
How Much Do Garden Rooms Cost to Run?
The cost of running a garden room largely depends on the type of heating and your usage patterns. To provide a clearer picture, here are two examples based on typical electric heating options and the November 2024 electricity rate of 24.5p per kWh.
Example 1: 500W Electric Radiator
A 500W electric radiator consumes 0.5 kWh per hour. Here’s the cost breakdown based on daily usage:
- 1 hour/day: 12.25p per day or approximately £3.68 per month.
- 3 hours/day: 36.75p per day or approximately £11.03 per month.
- 5 hours/day: 61.25p per day or approximately £18.38 per month.
Example 2: 2 x 300W Infrared Heating Panels
Two 300W infrared panels use a combined total of 0.6 kWh per hour. Here’s what that translates to in running costs:
- 1 hour/day: 14.7p per day or approximately £4.41 per month.
- 3 hours/day: 44.1p per day or approximately £13.24 per month.
- 5 hours/day: 73.5p per day or approximately £22.05 per month.
The total costs will vary depending on your specific heating method, the room’s insulation quality and daily usage habits. For more detailed guidance on heating options, see our blog post on the best ways to heat a garden room.
Benefits of Insulated Garden Rooms
To go alongside the energy efficiency benefits of a garden room that we’ve discussed, here are some of the major benefits of an insulated garden room that you can enjoy.
Increased Property Value
Adding an insulated garden room can significantly increase your property’s overall value. These versatile structures expand usable space, making your property more attractive to potential buyers. On average, they’re also much cheaper than having an extension.
With insulated garden rooms now recognised as valuable home features, they’re an investment that can yield future returns.
Year-Round Usability
Thanks to their insulation, garden rooms are comfortable spaces all year, regardless of the season. Whether you need a warm retreat in winter or a cool workspace in summer, insulated garden rooms provide consistent comfort, making them suitable for any use, from a home office to a home gym. Read more on garden room ideas here.
Eco-Friendly Construction
Many insulated garden rooms are built with sustainable materials, which helps to reduce environmental impact.
From the cladding, roofing and flooring to the lighting, insulation and interior touches, we can include any and all green features you’d like to include with our bespoke design approach. We also use stainless steel ground screws for the foundations rather than pouring concrete.
Of course, adding energy generating renewable technology such as solar panels increases the sustainability of a garden room.
Versatile Design Options
From a quiet home office to an all-action bar and entertainment area, there are plenty of design possibilities with an insulated garden rooms.
Garden room sizes and layouts are all highly customisable, allowing you to create a space that caters to your unique needs and maximise energy efficiency.
What’s next with your insulated garden room?
Insulated garden rooms provide a host of benefits that go beyond mere additional space. They’re energy-efficient, eco-friendly and a year-round usable space.
If you’re considering an energy-efficient garden room, take a look at our gallery alongside our client-focussed process. To learn more get in touch for a free quote. Our team can guide you through choosing the ideal garden room that fits your needs and budget.
FAQs
1. How much does a garden room cost to run?
The running cost depends on the heating method, insulation quality, and daily usage. For example, a 500W electric radiator used for 3 hours daily costs approximately £11.03 monthly, while two 300W infrared panels cost around £13.24 monthly. These costs will vary based on specific conditions.
2. Can insulated garden rooms help reduce electricity bills?
Yes, by minimising the need for heating and cooling, insulated garden rooms help lower electricity bills.
3. Are insulated garden rooms suitable for year-round use?
Absolutely! Insulated garden rooms are designed for year-round use. With quality insulation, they should remain warm in winter and cool in summer, making them ideal for all types of activities.
4. Do I need planning permission for a garden room?
Generally, garden rooms that fall within specific size and height limits don’t require planning permission. However, large or unusually positioned garden rooms may. Learn more on garden room planning permission.
5. Can I use a garden room as a home office?
Definitely. Insulated garden rooms make excellent home offices due to their quiet, comfortable environments. With proper insulation, they offer a distraction-free space, perfect for remote work or running a small business.