Ten ways to save energy in the home

Published 12th May 2007

Energy-assessors.com has compiled a list of top ten tips to help homeowners achieve the highest possible rating for their home…

From 1st June, all homes coming on to the market in England and Wales will need to have a HIP, which will contain an Energy Performance Certificate, rating the energy-efficiency of the property from A to G.

The rating is likely to become a key selling point, so homeowners will be keen to make their homes as energy-efficient as possible before they put them on the market. It is possible to do so through a number of simple cost effective measures, ten of which are outlined below:

1. Insulation – Insulating your loft with 250mm insulation is one of the simplest ways to save energy. It could save you between £180 and £220 in a year and costs less than £500 to install, paying for itself within 2 – 3 years. Homeowners could be entitled to grants to help with the cost of fitting.

2. Heating – Don’t overheat your home. Set the thermostat at between 18 and 21 degrees. This could save around £40 a year.

3. Lighting – Replace ordinary bulbs with energy saving ones. They are slightly more expensive, but last up to 15 times longer and use around one fifth of energy, saving £100 on electricity over the bulb’s lifetime.

4. Water Usage – Make sure domestic hot water is not too hot. It is possible to save £30 a year by setting the temperature no higher than 60 degrees.

5. Hot Water Tank – Cover your hot water tank with a jacket of at least 150mm and you could save around £250 a year on heating water.

6. Look for the logo – When purchasing new appliances choose one with an Energy Saving Recommended logo. Energy Saving appliances are the most efficient and could cut your bills by £45 a year per appliance.

7. Turn off appliances – Turning off appliances left on standby can shave 10 per cent off an average household’s total electricity bill.

8. Boilers – If your boiler is over 15 years old, it may be time to replace it. Having a high efficiency condensing model could help to save up to a third on your heating bills.

9. Windows – Double-glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50 per cent and could cut heating bills by £80 to £100 a year. Draw curtains at dusk to stop heat being lost, but take care not to drape them over radiators.

10. Solar water heating and photovoltaics – Solar water heating panels reduce the fuel needed for domestic hot water and can provide 50 per cent of the home’s hot water requirements. Photovoltaic panels on the roof of the home can generate 15 per cent of electricity for use in the home or for sale to the National Grid.

Director of energy-assessors.com, Stephen Callaghan comments:
“The introduction of Energy Performance Certificates in June will bring the matter of energy saving in the home to the fore. While many people are concerned about the cost of energy-saving technology, they should focus on making simple, small changes, such as buying a hot water tank jacket, installing low-energy light bulbs, or even just switching off appliances after use. Saving energy and improving the rating of our homes will deliver a long lasting benefit.”

Source: ' Move Channel Ltd '

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