Energy Saving Measures
Why should I insulate my home?
You should insulate your home because in an uninsulated home, over 30% of heat loss goes out through the walls. That is easily preventable by insulating the walls - you can insulate your loft, you can insulate your boiler. You have to remember, in the UK, 30% of energy produced is produced in households, so there are a lot of ways households can use insulation to reduce their emissions.
Which parts of my home will need insulating?
From top to bottom, there are many areas in your home that can benefit from insulating: your walls, loft, hot water tank, windows, doors, and floorboards. Become a real draft buster and go around your home and look for all the cracks and creases where hot air might be getting out that you want to keep in.
What financial savings can I make by insulating my home?
You can make great financial savings by insulating your home. You can save up to 160 pounds a year on your energy bills by insulating your wall cavities. Insulating your loft is very easy to do. You can do it yourself, and that could save you around 200 pounds a year. Double glazing your windows is another great way to insulate your home and save money. That can knock about a hundred pounds a year off your energy bills.
What can I do to reduce my energy consumption from heating my home?
There are many things you can do to reduce your energy consumption from heating the home. Put foil behind radiators that are on an outside wall, which will help reflect heat back into the room. Put a sheath just above the radiator which will also help push the heat into the room, and line your curtains with a thermal lining which will help keep the heat in the room as well. Make sure all of your windows and doors are draft proof. And most importantly, twenty to twenty five percent of domestic heating bills come from heating the water that we use in the kitchen and the bathroom, so make sure you bathe and wash up efficiently.
What temperature should the thermostat in my home be set at?
The thermostat in your home should be set between 19 and 21 degrees. If you lower your thermostat by just 1 degree, that would save 10% off your heating bill.
What type of boiler should I have?
You want to have a high efficiency boiler in your home. A high efficiency boiler could save you a third on your annual fuel bill. If your boiler is over 15 years old, it's probably time to start thinking about getting a new one. When you go to get a new boiler, make sure that you get one that has an A or a B rating. Look for the energy saving recommend logo. Condensing boilers are the most efficient. They only lose about 11 percent of heat up the flue.
How can I keep my home cool in summer without wasting energy?
You can keep your home cool in the summer without wasting energy. Remember, if it's colder inside than out, keep the windows shut, but then open them in the evening to let the cool air circulate. Close the curtains in a hot and sunny room to keep them cool. And try to plan your days so that you spend time in the coolest places at the hottest times of the day.
What is a renewable energy tariff and how do I switch to one?
The easiest way to support renewable energy is through a green electricity tariff. Most electricity in the UK comes from gas, coal and nuclear power. This means that, unless you take action to reduce your use, or switch to renewable electricity sources such as wind or solar, every time you flick a switch at home you're contributing to climate change. A proportion of the UK's electricity is generated by renewables, mostly wind and hydroelectricity. A green energy tariff means you are, in effect, purchasing this electricity. There are many schemes available. Some are better than others.
What can I do to reduce the amount of energy I use for lighting?
To reduce the amount of energy you use for lighting, first you should switch all of the bulbs in your home to energy efficient light blubs and always turn of the lights when you leave the room. It's a myth that it's best to leave lights on because it uses more energy to start them back up again. Utilize natural light as much as possible. Be sure to adjust your curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible during the day. Lighting makes up an average of 15% of electricity use in the UK, so it's important to reduce your use.
Why should I use energy efficient light bulbs in my home?
You should use energy efficient light bulbs in your home because they have many fantastic qualities. They're low maintenence, they're money-saving and they use less resources. Although they can be a bit more expensive, these bulbs save a massive amount of energy. An energy efficient bulb can last twelve times as long as an old fashioned one, and can reduce lighting costs by up to 78 pounds over its lifetime.
