Heating the home
Up to 80% of the energy used in the home is for heating. That means 80% of the fuel bills & 80% of the carbon emissions are produced by heating alone. There are several ways to reduce energy usage & energy bills from heating the home.
Turning down your thermostat by as little as 1 degree, good insulation and more energy efficient boilers can help tackle climate change, reduce local air pollution, cut fuel bills and can add value to your home.
Energy-saving tips for cutting your heating bill
- use a timer for heating your home. This makes sure the heating is only on when you need it.
- Try turning the thermostat down by just 1 degree Celsius - you could save as much as 10 per cent on heating bills.
- Rather than turning the heating up whilst wearing summer clothes, wear extra layers of clothing to keep warm without the aid of central heating.
- Sleep under an extra blanket and turn off the heating a couple of hours earlier. By shaving just two hours off the time you spend heating your house each day, you could make a significant energy and financial savings.
- Look out for the energy-saving recommended label when you're choosing a new boiler - it can only be used on the most energy efficient boilers.
Insulating your home
Most houses in the UK don't have the recommended amount of insulation. By insulating your home sufficiently, you could save over £150 a year on your heating bills. Cutting downon the amount of energy wasted by heating your home will also help cut your carbon footprint.
Insulate your hot water tank
Fitting your hot water tank with an insulating jacket will only cost a few pounds, but because it insulates against heat loss at the source, it can significantly cut heat loss and save you money. Insulating your hot water tank will pay for itself within about six months. Fit a jacket that is thick enough, at least 7.5cm.
Insulate your loft
Approximately 50% of the heat lost in a typical home escapes through the walls and the roof. By insulating your loft, which is simple enough to do yourself. You can save a significant amount of energy and money from being wasted. Even if you already have loft insulation, check its thickness. By adding another layer you can save even more money. The recommended thickness of loft insulation is 27cm.
Fill your wall cavities
About one third of the heat lost in the average household occurs through the walls. You could save up to £120 on your energy bills each year by insulating your wall cavities. Installation can take just a couple of hours for a typical three-bedroom house and can be done from the outside. If everyone in the UK filled their wall cavities, it would save around £670 million of energy a year.
Cut down on draughts
Draught excluders can be used on interior doors to eliminate draughts. Wasted heat energy can be reduced by installing a brush or PVC seal on your exterior doors. Letterboxes and keyholes should be covered too.
Draughts also get in through gaps in floorboards and skirting boards, which allow heat to escape in winter. Stop this waste by filling these gaps with beading or sealant & using loft insulation under the floorboards.
Save energy, save money & help save the planet
