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Energy efficiency and saving money
Energy efficiency and saving money
Most households can save a substantial amount on fuel bills by using energy in an efficient way, and can be warmer and healthier as a result. Grants and discount schemes are available to help with fuel efficiency measures. Even if you have to meet some of the costs yourself, the savings on fuel bills can quickly repay the initial cost.
Lightbulbs
Energy saving light bulbs can last up to ten times longer than ordinary light bulbs. They work by using less electricity but give the same light output as other bulbs and therefore save money - around £5.00 - £10.00 on each light over a year depending on usage.
Appliances
If you are buying a new appliance such as a washing machine, tumble dryer or fridge you can find information on their energy efficiency by checking the Energy label. All appliances must now display this information. ‘A’ rated appliances are the most energy efficient and although these appliances may cost more, will give in savings in both energy and cash.
Heating
If your house is centrally heated, you can make the heating more efficient and less expensive by upgrading your heating controls. A time switch or programmer allows you to set heating and hot water to come on only at times when needed. Room thermostats which automatically switch the heating off at a certain temperature will also save energy. Similarly, individual radiator thermostats can be fitted which allow you to control each room's temperature separately.
One of the biggest causes of high fuel bills and energy inefficiency comes from old boilers, generally those over 15 years old. All modern boiler systems are more energy efficient and use less fuel to run. The most efficient boilers in terms of saving money are called condensing boilers which use 30-40% less fuel. You or your landlord may be eligible for a grant to install a condensing boiler.
Insulation
Reducing the amount of fuel you use for heating can often be achieved by insulating your home. Good insulation will keep the heat in the building and drafts and cold out. A lot of heat escapes through doors, windows, walls and the roof of a house.
There are a number of cheap and easy measures that can make your home dryer and warmer. For example, if your home has wooden floors, you can fill gaps in floorboards and skirting with newspaper, beading or sealant, and you can eliminate draughts and wasted heat by fixing a brush or seal to your outer doors. The most effective way to insulate your home is to insulate your loft. Most houses already have some loft insulation, but the energy savings will depend on how thick the insulation is. The recommended level of thickness for loft insulation is now a minimum of 100mm deep, but ideally should be between 150mm and 200mm. Loft insulation should be allowed to retain its natural thickness and not be compressed, as this will reduce its insulation value.
Windows
Double-glazing stops heat escaping and can reduce condensation on your windows. A lot of heat is lost through windows, so double glazing can be an effective way to make savings on fuel bills in the long term. It can also reduce outside noise considerably.
What else can you do?
There are simpler things you can do to save energy and cut down your energy bills. For example, only put enough water in the kettle that you need to use. Do not use standby on electrical equipment, and put washing on when you hav e a full load. You can also save up to 10% of your bill by lowering your heating by 1 degree.
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This intel was contributed by chaos
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May, 2012
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