If your home isn’t energy efficient, not only will you be wasting money but you will be wasting energy as well, which damages the environment.
The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas (either directly or to generate electricity) is releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than the seas, oceans plants and trees can absorb. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas, which contributes towards the threat of climate change.
25% of the CO2 produced in the UK comes from the energy used in the home so what can we do to reduce the amount of energy we use?
Well, there are plenty of things we can do!
Low Cost Tips
- Insulate your hot water cylinder with an insulating jacket
- Insulate your hot water pipes to prevent heat loss.
- Place silver foil behind your radiators to reflect heat back into each room.
- Fit a spring flap to your letterbox and a cover to your keyhole.
- Fill gaps in your skirting boards and floorboards with beading or a sealant.
- Fill gaps around your doorframes and window frames with a PVC seal.
- Replace light bulbs with energy saving light bulbs. They cost around £5.00 but use around 25% of the electricity and last 12 times as long.
- If you have a chimney, make sure that it is swept regularly to prevent blockages.
- Arrange to get any dripping taps fixed.
- Tape polythene across your window frames during the winter months. This is a cheaper alternative to double-glazing but should be used as short-term solution.
No Cost Tips
Set the thermostat on your hot water cylinder to 60c.- Turn your room thermostat down by 1c. Every 1c reduction could save up to £30.00 each year on your fuel bills.
- Make sure any air vents are clear from blockages.
- Turn off the light when you have left a room.
- Close internal doors behind you to prevent draughts.
- Don’t leave appliances such as televisions, videos, PC’s or music systems on standby. Switch them off at the mains wherever possible.
- Don't leave mobile phone or mp3 chargers on after they have fully charged up.
- Draw your curtains at night time to stop heat escaping through the windows and open them again in the morning to allow light back into the room.
- Have a shower instead of a bath. Showers use a lot less water than a bath.
- After using the bathroom, ensure that you open the window to prevent condensation but close the bathroom door.
- Don’t wash your hands under a running tap; always put the plug in the basin.
- When using your kettle, only boil the amount of water you actually need but make sure you cover the element.
- Choose the right size pot or pan and keep the lid on top, which will keep the heat in and shorten the cooking time.
- Whenever possible, use your microwave to cook smaller food items.
- Cooking will create a lot of moisture. Ensure you open your windows but close the kitchen door to prevent moisture escaping to other rooms.
- Don’t leave the fridge door open too long otherwise cold air will escape.
- Ensure warm food cools down before placing it in the fridge.
- Defrost your fridge and freezer compartments on a regular basis.
- Always use a full-load in your washing machine or an economy setting if you need to use a half-load.
- Don’t put really wet clothes into a tumble dryer; wherever possible wring them out and dry them on washing line.
For more information on energy efficiency, please visit the Energy Saving Trust website
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/
