CREATING AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME
Consumers have been hit by large energy price rises this year and with energy bills already at an all time high, it's no wonder that homeowners are looking to create energy efficient homes to try and reduce their bills.
To help you improve the energy efficiency of your home, we've put together some top tips for you to consider:
Increase Insulation Levels
Insulating your home is a great way to reduce energy costs. For the average house 30% of the heat simply escapes through the walls and roof. There is a range of grants available to help with insulation costs. Ring 0800 512012 for more information.
Consider Alternative Energy Technologies
Grants are available for solar panels and other microgeneration technologies via the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Ring 0800 915 0990 for further details.
Work Your Windows
Around 20% of the heat lost from an average home is through the windows. Consider double glazing your windows or secondary double-glazing if you live in a period property. Double-glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50% and could significantly reduce your heating bill.
Use Radiator Reflector Panels
Shockingly over 50% of the heat from our radiators is simply used to heat the walls behind them, which means that less than half is used to heat our rooms. Energy saving radiator panels are like tin foil sheets that reflect the heat back from your walls into your room. They can save as much as 20% on your heating bill.
Buy Low Energy Appliances
Make sure white goods like fridges, freezers and washing machines, are A rated (or A++ for fridges and freezers). This means they are very efficient and, with washing machines, use less water than other models. Remember to turn off computers, TVs and video/DVD players rather than leaving them on stand-by when not in use, as this will substantially cut energy use.
Be Clever with Lighting
Use energy efficient lighting throughout your home. Good quality low energy light bulbs are a great investment as they use a lot less power and last longer. Priced from just £5, they last 12 times longer than an ordinary light bulb.
Heating Hints
Use individual thermostatic controls on radiators in every room. If the room isn't in use, keep the control turned to low to avoid heating rooms unnecessarily. If you’re thinking of a new boiler the most efficient type of gas fired boiler is the condensing boiler which recycles otherwise wasted energy from the combustion gases.
Reduce Water Consumption
Take a shower instead of a bath – and use five times less water!Install a device that reduces your water flow. Switch off that hose and use rainwater instead, collected in water butts.
Do Your Homework
Do your homework and get as much information as possible. Visit websites like the Association for Environment Conscious Building (www.aecb.net), the Centre for Alternative Technology (www.cat.org.uk)) and the Energy Saving Trust (www.est.org.uk).
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