So what can you do about it?- If you are about to replace a kitchen appliance, make sure it is an energy efficient type. Saving you typically between £10 to £35, a year on running costs
- Turning the thermostat down by one degree can reduce your energy bill, by as much as 10%, saving you up to £50, a year. Make sure your hot water cylinder thermostat is set to 60 degrees. Bleed radiators and make sure that furniture isn't blocking the heat from circulating.
- Visit the Energy Savings Trust and do a Home Check FREE online and search for available grants, you may not be aware that you are entitled to, at: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
- Appliances left on standby can add as much as £40, a year to electricity bills, make sure you turn them off and turn off lights, when you leave the room. Try not using the tumble dryer! Descale your kettle and defrost your freezer regularly, to keep them working efficiently.
- Change to low energy light bulbs - they can last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs, and use much less energy.
- Reduce heat loss round doors and windows, which can account for as much as 20% of the heat loss in a typical home, with DIY draught excluders.
- Have your boiler serviced by a GAS SAFE engineer every year and get the heating system water flushed and protected. Helps increase boiler efficiency, reduce energy bills and costly breakdowns.
- Insulate your loft adequately to a depth of 270mm. this could save up to £155, a year. Make sure if you install it yourself, not to block the eaves, to avoid condensation. And not to insulate beneath water tanks, also check the water tank and pipes are adequately insulated.
- Insulate your cavity walls - up to 33% of a home's heat is lost through uninsulated cavity walls
A few useful sites to read more on saving energy are: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk also www.energysavingadvice.co.uk or www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk |
