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Introduction
There are very few people in the world who do not accept the need for action on climate
change. Even in this country we have experienced sustained weather patterns rare
just a few decades ago. In summer there have been record temperatures and drought, and
serious flooding can now occur at almost any time of year. Positive measures have to be taken on a global scale to change our future for the better, but also we are being encouraged as individuals to make a contribution towards energy efficiency in our homes.
What do we mean by energy efficiency?
People spout on about energy saving as if it were something we could bottle or put in the
bank. It is a rather nebulous term' can mean a great many things. Electricity is perhaps the
most familiar form of energy that all of us consume in our homes. But when we talk about using less electricity, what we are really aiming at is a saving in the fuels that are used to generate that power. Similarly, when we do our best to prevent heat escaping from our homes, we are attempting to conserve the stocks of gas and oil that will one day run out.
No one wants to do without the benefits of modern living that we derive from consuming
gas, oil and electricity - but if we make investments in insulation and draught proofing, for example, we can enjoy the same levels of comfort at less cost to the environment. In
other words, we are being more energy-efficient. Similarly, if we operate and control our
central-heating system with more care, we are able to reduce the amount of fuel we burn
without feeling any discomfort. Energy efficiency has more to do with careful
management of resources than with having to do without home comforts.
Why Save Water?
That is a reasonable question when we live in a country that seems to get more than its fair share of rain. Try convincing householders up to their knees in floodwater that they shouldn't use a hosepipe next time they want to water the garden. Unfortunately, when we experience such variations in weather, it can be difficult to appreciate the fuller picture. The truth is, despite the downpours, we have experienced summer after summer of comparative drought, and there is no reason at the moment to assume this won't continue. To enjoy the quality of water that is piped into our homes, all of us have to pay a great deal of money for purification and maintenance of the system. So, if nothing else, it makes economic sense to reduce unnecessary wastage however we can.
Click here for water saving saving devices..............
Living in the real world
The last thing this website aims to do is preach to you about your duty to do something about climate change. It is a website that aims to offer simple advice with instructions on how you can repair, maintain and improve your home and, in so doing, reduce you fuel bills. You will, incidentally, be doing your bit towards mitigating the effects of global warming.
We also have to acknowledge that it is simply not possible everyone to bring their homes up to the standards recommended by government agencies. Older homes, of which there are many thousands in this country, were built with different criteria than those used today. We can do a great deal to make them more energy-effiecent but not to the extent of destroying irreparably the charm and historic value of our unique housing stock.
We live in a world where aspirations and realities have to be balanced. You will find measures suggested in this website that can make a difference to your budget and help the environment without you having to make unacceptable sacrifices.
Click here for energy saving electricty monitors..................
Financial assistance
The government and local authorities fund schemes to encourage home owners and tenants to make energy saving improvements to their homes.
What sort of work is covered by the schemes?
Depending on your circumstances there are grants to help with loft and cavity-wall insulation, installation of reflective radiator panels and thermostatic valves, draught proofing, jackets for hot-water cylinders and compact fluorescent light bulbs. You may even be eligible for a complete new central heating system or repairs to your existing system. Financial assistance is also provided to install a condensing boiler when your old boiler breaks down.
Who is eligible?
Most current schemes are available only to those who are receiving benefits, though people over a certain age may be entitled to free home improvements. The exact criteria are subject to changes from time to time - so if you think you might be eligible, contact your local authority for advice. At the moment, there are no grants available for DIY improvements.
Who is providing the funds?
Government funding provides up to a maximum of £3500 to improve heating and energy efficiency. In most cases, you will only be eligible for a proportion of the estimated costs of these improvements. In England, the scheme is known as Warm Front. Similar schemes and funding are available in other parts of the UK.
The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ between countries - with some schemes you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age. Full details can be found on the websites listed below.
Examples of Warm Front eligibility criteria - If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and if:
You are 60 years or older and are in receipt of one or more benefits. Benefits include: income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, job seekers allowance and pension credit.
or
You have a child under 16 or you are pregnant and have been given maternity MAT B1 and are also in receipt of benefits such as income support, council tax benefit etc.
or
You are in receipt of one or more benefits such as disability living allowance, child tax credit with an income of less than £16,040, housing benefit and disability premium etc.
Then you could be entitled to a warm front grant.
Visit the following websites for more information on the eligibility criteria for a:
Please note that grants levels vary.
Energy-supply companies are obliged by law to achieve certain targets for saving energy in the domestic market As a result, suppliers provide a range of offers aimed at reducing energy consumption. They will either send a representative to your home to access what improvements you can make, or will ask you to provide information about your property that will allow them to suggest which measures will be of benefit and what grants are available to carry out the work. You can take up offers from any supply company, regardless of who actually supplies you with gas or electricity.
The internet is a useful source of information on obtaining funds towards energy-saving measures. Local authorities have their own websites that offer help to residents in their areas. The following websites may prove helpful.
Is your home energy-efficient?
If you are about to build a new house or extension, any architect or informed builder will
Offer help and advice on conserving energy and water, but most of US simply want to
know what measures we can realistically take in the short term in our existing home
When working on your present home, try to build in programmer of energy efficiency as
part of your overall scheme. Our expectations of comfort and convenience are such that
we all require central heating, electric lighting and power to run our modern appliances.
No one is suggesting we should do away with these modern conveniences, but it makes
sense to protect the environment and reduce our personal expenses at the same time.
Reducing energy wastage is particularly difficult if you live in an older property. Not
only will it be built without modern levels of insulation, but it may also be more difficult
to bring it up to standard without compromising the essential character of your home.
Fitting draught excluders Draught proofing doors and windows is a relatively inexpensive
yet highly effective way to reduce heat lost to the outside. And you may be surprised to
discover that draughts can enter through power points, the junctions between skirting
boards and floors, gaps in the floorboards gaps between ceilings and walls, and around
loft hatches. The aim should be to seal as many gaps as possible, but the degree of
air tightness achievable will depend on the type of wall construction and finish, how well
services have been installed, and the age and condition of windows and doors.
Reducing your use of electrical energy
One of the simplest ways to use less electricity is to replace at least some of your ordinary tungsten-filament light bulbs with low-energy compact fluorescent versions. These so-called longlife bulbs are relatively expensive to buy, but reduce costs in the long run. The Building Regulations now require you to take into consideration the use of low-energy lighting when designing conversions and extensions.
When planning your kitchen, pay particular attention to the design of freezers and
refrigerators, and monitor how they are working. Their thermostats have a habit of
failing, often causing such appliances to run continuously. If you place your fridge freezer close to a source of heat such as a cooker, it will have to work harder to maintain the required temperature inside the cabinet. Are you getting the best possible deal from your electricity and gas suppliers?
It may pay to shop around, see our energy suppliers comparison chart – now may be a good time to switch to a green energy supplier such as Ecotricity.
Fit thermostatic radiator valves to your existing radiators. This allows you to control the
temperature of each individual radiator to suit the particular conditions in the part of the
house where it Is situated. A thermostatic radiator valve will shut down a radiator as soon
as it reaches the required temperature, thereby preventing heat being wasted.
Click here for energy saving lightbulbs..............................
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