Household Energy

• hink about loft, wall, window and floor insulation
• A quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home
• A loft should have at least 270mm of insulating materials
• And don’t forget to think about Insulating your water tank, pipes and radiators as well

For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

• Install double glazing if you can
• Draught proof strips can be applied round doors and windows
• Fill gaps behind skirting boards, or where pipes come into the house
• Make sure your letter box and keyhole have covers on them
• Don’t forget your loft hatch
• But you still need adequate ventilation, so don’t block air bricks, wall vents, extractor fans or trickle vents

For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

• Change to LED bulbs

• Switch lights off when not in use (This could save you around £20 a year on your annual energy bills)

• Don’t leave computers, TVs etc on “sleep” mode – turn them off at the plug at the end of the day (This could save you around £55 a year)

  For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

• If possible install individual thermostats in every room, or even on every radiator
• If you have a hot water tank, install a thermostat and timer on that too
• Turn radiators off in rooms that are not used every day
• For rooms that are in use, aim for a temperature of between 15oC and 21oC
• Just reducing the temperature by 1 degree may reduce your heating bill by £80 per year (according to USwitch)

For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or www.uswitch.com

• Buy the most energy efficient appliances you can afford

• All new appliances now have an energy efficiency label

• Ratings go from A to G, with A being the most efficient

• If your appliances have them, use the Eco mode settings

  For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or www.energylabel.org.uk

• Heating your home by gas has a very high carbon footprint compared to using a renewable energy source

• Other options are now available – most commonly air-source and ground-source heat pumps

• For many of us, this is not an easy decision, but the government has recently introduced a Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which provides grants for people looking to move to lower carbon systems

• To participate in this scheme you need to work through a certified installer. There are 10 of these within 14 miles of Market Harborough

  For more information visit www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme or www.mcscertified.com/find-an-installer

• Generating your own Solar Power could help you save money on your electricity bills, as well as contribute to reducing the carbon emissions of the UK’s electricity network.

• You will need expert advice to understand the costs and the payback time for your investment.

• Try using the Solar Energy Calculator on the Energy Saving Trust website.

• Wear the right clothes – start with thermal underwear and wear several layers

• If sitting for long periods, wear thermal socks and slippers, and cover your legs with a rug, duvet or sleeping bag

• Use simple ‘gadgets’ to give extra warmth – hot water bottles, USB gloves, heated insoles, heatpads and footwarmers

• Eat regularly and have at least one hot meal a day

  For more information visit www.moneysavingexpert.com

• Install a Smart Meter

   

• Check your bills regulalrly and contact your supplier if you think you are being charged too much

• Compare your bills with your friends and neighbours

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