Saving energy at home is not only kinder to the environment but lighter on the pocket. ‘Members are discovering a small change at home can make a big difference,’ says Jerrard Watts, one of our green experts. Read on for an overview of how to make the energy in your home sustainable, and then call to discuss your options with one of our experts, who will be happy to advise you and then arrange for any work or supplies that need to be carried out.
Consumption on the rise
A recent article in The Telegraph reported a sharp rise in the average UK household’s annual energy costs in the past three years, partly blaming Britain’s growing reliance on gas imports. In 1990, gas accounted for only one per cent of electricity generation. It is now 40 per cent, the report found. Gas and oil prices will only continue to rise, so you should explore every possible way of saving energy in the home.
In 2010, the average UK energy bill was estimated to be in the region of £1,000.
In an attempt to make energy consumption greener and more affordable, homeowners are turning to sustainable solutions such as replacing old boilers, insulating the home, upgrading kitchen appliances, draught-proofing homes and, where possible, heating homes with solar power.
High on the list of issues is water. A 2009 Environment Agency (EA) report found that nearly half the population of the UK live in areas of ‘water stress’ where supply is struggling to keep up with demand.
How to make savings
‘The majority of water is used in showers and baths (45 per cent) and when flushing the toilet (30 per cent),’ Jerrard says. ‘There are easy ways to bring consumption down. Many people are wasting water rather than using it – for example, flushing things down the loo (rather than putting them in the bin), and keeping taps running when brushing teeth.’
Collecting rainwater in water butts and using a watering can instead of a hose is an increasingly popular way of saving water.
Changing your old boiler for a more efficient model can cut your annual heating bill by up to 40 per cent, particularly if coupled with the installation of a full set of heating controls. Call our experts to discuss what model would work best in your home. We’ll be happy to research options, and arrange for the installation from a trusted supplier in your local area.
Taking control with TRVs
Heating controls allow householders to choose when the heating and hot water come on and off, and what the temperature is in each room. They also make sure that the boiler is only turned on when it needs to be.
Fitting the correct heating controls could shave around 17 per cent off heating bills, according to the Energy Savings Trust.
‘We use some rooms in our homes more than others, so heating them differently can help save energy and reduce heating bills,’ Jerrard says.
A room thermostat controls the temperature of the whole home but thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) connected to individual radiators allow homeowners to control the temperature in each room. TRVs keep a set temperature in a room. They work by sensing the air temperature around them and regulating the flow of hot water entering the radiators. Each TRV has a temperature dial and internal thermostat, which can be adjusted manually. This tells the radiator how warm you want the room to be.
Sell back what you don’t need
Promisingly, it is now easier than ever to sell energy back to national grid, following a move by Government that aims to simplify the process.
The Government has introduced a scheme called Feed-in Tariffs, which offer a guaranteed payback for any renewable energy you produce, such as that generated by solar panels. These are currently set up to provide an 8 per cent annual return and are therefore a great investment. ‘Let us know if you would like more information about this scheme,’ say Jerrard, ‘we’ll be happy to talk you through it.’
