1. Switch off all appliances at the wall switch when not in use
Savings of 20% in electricity bills, 16.5% of total energy bills can be achieved by simply eliminating waste from appliances that are not switched off at the wall.
Modern electrical equipment, microwaves, hi-fi’s, radios, computers and even some toasters etc. continue to use electricity even when not in use. While some newer items are less wasteful in this respect, such as TV’s made to use very little on standby and most mobile phone chargers automatically switching off when not needed, our ordinary electrical devices are leaking away energy – energy which we have to pay for!
See example of savings from reducing waste
2. Cavity Wall and loft insulation
Loft and cavity wall insulation together will reduce heating bills by around 30%, reducing overall energy costs by 12% (Most lofts will already have a little insulation. Where there is none the savings will be even greater)
Now is the time to get this sorted before the grants end later this year. In properties with solid walls, insulation can be fixed to the inside or outside of walls and the benefits are even greater than for cavity wall insulation. There are only limited grants for solid wall insulation, mostly Ad Hoc under the Green Deal. There may be changes to this funding from autumn 2015, but availability is still likely to be limited.
3. Boiler replacement
The value of a boiler replacement depends on what is being replaced. If the current boiler is an older type, which still has a copper cylinder in an airing cupboard and having a pilot light then, for a 3 bed semi, the saving from replacement could amount to 37% of the gas use, 15% of total energy bills. However, if the boiler is a non-condensing combi boiler, with a fan assisted flue and automatic ignition, then the saving will be only 16% of gas bills, 8% of total energy bills.
4. Showers and baths
Mixer showers use 60% less energy than electric showers. Standard showers use 30% less water than baths, though power showers use the same. Switching from using the bath to a mixer shower saves 3% of energy bills. Replacing an electric show with a mixer will save around 11% of energy bills – and provide a much better shower.
(Using an electric shower is much more costly than having a bath, which heats the water through the main heating system.)
5. Taking control of your heating
Using the controls properly to operate the heating system saves around 4% of energy bills. It will also result in a more comfortable “feel” to the house, with steadier temperatures and higher temperatures where needed. Make changes slowly to adapt to the new regime.
Use timer for heating. Leaving heating on, even at a low temperature always uses more energy. Set the wall and radiator thermostats to the right temperatures for you and then leave. Turn up the boiler thermostat in colder weather. This will give you heat more quickly but turning up radiator and wall thermostats won’t, but will increase waste.
These are the same savings as turning heating down. You don’t have to feel cold to use heating effectively.
see guide for setting up central heating
see guide for setting up storage heaters
6. Double glazing
The saving for double glazing is around 4% of energy, including he saving from better draught proofing.
Although it makes only a small saving it does make the house feel warmer by reducing draughts and air falling at windows. But it is hard to justify financially, as the windows will probably need to be replaced again long before they have paid for themselves. However, it makes sense to get the best glazing when windows do need to be replaced.
7. Replacing older fridges and freezers
As cold appliances get older they can begin to get inefficient. In addition, large improvements have been made to newer appliances. Replacing an older, inefficient fridge and freezer may save 3% of energy bills if replaced by an AA rated model.
When purchasing new appliances it is always worthwhile buying the most energy efficient model. With cold appliances the improvements have been so great that it is cost effective to replace working equipment.
8. Use low energy bulbs everywhere
Low energy light bulbs reduce energy bills by up to 1.5% and pay for themselves with greatly extended lifetimes, especially for lower powered bulbs such as candle bulbs.
The latest LED bulbs, while more expensive, have very long lifetimes, up to 25 years. They are smaller and more attractive than the older types of low energy bulbs and use even less energy. They produce a good quality of light, come to full brightness straight away and are usually dimmable. They make ideal replacements for the clear candle bulbs, and the halogen style mini-spotlights, which are both particularly wasteful due to the large number of fittings needed.
9. Make more efficient use of washing machine
Washing at lower temperatures and ensuring that the machine is not half full is likely to save 1% on energy bills. Most modern washing powders work better at lower temperature, because the enzymes and bleaches in the powders are de-activated by higher temperatures. However, if staying in, or visiting hospital, all clothes need to be washed at 60oC to ensure acquired infections are destroyed.
10. Don’t heat more water in kettle than needed
On average 0.5% of energy bills is heating excessive amounts of water in kettles. The average cost is £13 per year, and some people are already vigilant, but in many homes the waste is much higher than this
Savings of 20% in electricity bills, 16.5% of total energy bills can be achieved by simply eliminating waste from appliances that are not switched off at the wall.
Modern electrical equipment, microwaves, hi-fi’s, radios, computers and even some toasters etc. continue to use electricity even when not in use. While some newer items are less wasteful in this respect, such as TV’s made to use very little on standby and most mobile phone chargers automatically switching off when not needed, our ordinary electrical devices are leaking away energy – energy which we have to pay for!
See example of savings from reducing waste
2. Cavity Wall and loft insulation
Loft and cavity wall insulation together will reduce heating bills by around 30%, reducing overall energy costs by 12% (Most lofts will already have a little insulation. Where there is none the savings will be even greater)
Now is the time to get this sorted before the grants end later this year. In properties with solid walls, insulation can be fixed to the inside or outside of walls and the benefits are even greater than for cavity wall insulation. There are only limited grants for solid wall insulation, mostly Ad Hoc under the Green Deal. There may be changes to this funding from autumn 2015, but availability is still likely to be limited.
3. Boiler replacement
The value of a boiler replacement depends on what is being replaced. If the current boiler is an older type, which still has a copper cylinder in an airing cupboard and having a pilot light then, for a 3 bed semi, the saving from replacement could amount to 37% of the gas use, 15% of total energy bills. However, if the boiler is a non-condensing combi boiler, with a fan assisted flue and automatic ignition, then the saving will be only 16% of gas bills, 8% of total energy bills.
4. Showers and baths
Mixer showers use 60% less energy than electric showers. Standard showers use 30% less water than baths, though power showers use the same. Switching from using the bath to a mixer shower saves 3% of energy bills. Replacing an electric show with a mixer will save around 11% of energy bills – and provide a much better shower.
(Using an electric shower is much more costly than having a bath, which heats the water through the main heating system.)
5. Taking control of your heating
Using the controls properly to operate the heating system saves around 4% of energy bills. It will also result in a more comfortable “feel” to the house, with steadier temperatures and higher temperatures where needed. Make changes slowly to adapt to the new regime.
Use timer for heating. Leaving heating on, even at a low temperature always uses more energy. Set the wall and radiator thermostats to the right temperatures for you and then leave. Turn up the boiler thermostat in colder weather. This will give you heat more quickly but turning up radiator and wall thermostats won’t, but will increase waste.
These are the same savings as turning heating down. You don’t have to feel cold to use heating effectively.
see guide for setting up central heating
see guide for setting up storage heaters
6. Double glazing
The saving for double glazing is around 4% of energy, including he saving from better draught proofing.
Although it makes only a small saving it does make the house feel warmer by reducing draughts and air falling at windows. But it is hard to justify financially, as the windows will probably need to be replaced again long before they have paid for themselves. However, it makes sense to get the best glazing when windows do need to be replaced.
7. Replacing older fridges and freezers
As cold appliances get older they can begin to get inefficient. In addition, large improvements have been made to newer appliances. Replacing an older, inefficient fridge and freezer may save 3% of energy bills if replaced by an AA rated model.
When purchasing new appliances it is always worthwhile buying the most energy efficient model. With cold appliances the improvements have been so great that it is cost effective to replace working equipment.
8. Use low energy bulbs everywhere
Low energy light bulbs reduce energy bills by up to 1.5% and pay for themselves with greatly extended lifetimes, especially for lower powered bulbs such as candle bulbs.
The latest LED bulbs, while more expensive, have very long lifetimes, up to 25 years. They are smaller and more attractive than the older types of low energy bulbs and use even less energy. They produce a good quality of light, come to full brightness straight away and are usually dimmable. They make ideal replacements for the clear candle bulbs, and the halogen style mini-spotlights, which are both particularly wasteful due to the large number of fittings needed.
9. Make more efficient use of washing machine
Washing at lower temperatures and ensuring that the machine is not half full is likely to save 1% on energy bills. Most modern washing powders work better at lower temperature, because the enzymes and bleaches in the powders are de-activated by higher temperatures. However, if staying in, or visiting hospital, all clothes need to be washed at 60oC to ensure acquired infections are destroyed.
10. Don’t heat more water in kettle than needed
On average 0.5% of energy bills is heating excessive amounts of water in kettles. The average cost is £13 per year, and some people are already vigilant, but in many homes the waste is much higher than this