Energy Saving Tips
The energy we use to heat, light and power our
homes contributes over a quarter of the UK’s
carbon emissions, the principle contributor to
climate change.
Around half the energy used in the home
is for heating and hot water, so using your
heating system efficiently will not only help the
environment, but also save you money.
Energy efficiency tips for heating and
hot water
1.
Don’t set the temperature too high...
Reducing the thermostat setting by just 1°C
can reduce your energy use by as much as
10%. If you’re going away during the winter,
leave the thermostat on the frost protection
setting to provide protection from freezing
at minimum cost.
2.
Use it where you need it...
Set the appropriate temperature on
your heaters for the room they are in; for
example, leave the heater thermostat in a
spare bedroom on a lower setting.
3.
Use it when you need it...
Use heaters fitted with timers or linked to
central controllers to turn the heating on
only when you need it and automatically
switch it off when you don’t.
4.
Curtains
Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat
escaping through the windows.
5.
Windows
Nearly 25% of heat loss can occur through
poorly insulated frames and single glazing.
If you can’t afford to double glaze all your
windows, go for the rooms you heat most.
6.
Treat your hot water tank...
Give it a jacket An insulating jacket for hot
water tanks costs only a few pounds and
pays for itself within months. Fit one that’s
at least 75mm (3”) thick and you could save
£10-15 a year.
7.
Water
Use a shower if you have one to save time,
money and water. Don’t set the thermostat
too high on your water heater - 60°C/ 140°F
is usually adequate for bathing and washing.
Put the plug in when running hot water in
your sink - leaving hot taps running is both
wasteful and expensive. Ensure dripping
taps are repaired quickly. In just one day,
you could waste enough water to fill a bath.
Other energy saving tips for around
the home
1.
Lights
Turn off lights whenever you leave a room
for more than ten minutes. Use low-energy
bulbs wherever you can as they use less
than a quarter of the electricity used
by ordinary light bulbs and last ten
times longer!
2.
Cooking
Use the right size pan for food and cooker
hob. Keep saucepan lids on - this enables
you turn down the heat. Boil water for
cooking in a kettle first.
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