Most of the UK's electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels, a process which releases greenhouse gases such as CO2. Scientists have shown that these gases are contributing to significant warming of the earth's atmosphere, which in turn leads to climate change.
For the UK, this is likely to mean massive increases in winter flooding, summer drought and severe storms. The prognosis for the world as a whole is even more serious.
It would save enough energy to shut down one whole power station, if everyone in the country turned off their TV at the wall overnight instead of leaving it on standby!
Here are some more suggestions for easy ways to save energy at home:
No cost (just your heart and mind)
- Turn down your central heating by 1°C. This can save up to 10% of your heating fuel and so take 10% off your bill!
- Do not leave TVs or other electrical devices on standby. Turn them off at the wall. (Leaving them on standby uses up to 50% of the electricity they use when they are on).
- Switch off the lights when you leave a room.
- Hang laundry on a clothes line to dry. Tumble driers use huge amounts of energy.
- Only use your washing machine or dishwasher when you have a full load. 'Half load' settings typically use as much as 80% of the power of a full cycle.
- Wash your clothes at 30°C. This alone can save £11 a year.
- Choose a green electricity tariff and get your electricity from renewable sources. Due to the rising costs of fossil fuels, this may not be the expensive option that it used to be.
- Do not fill the kettle with more water than you need.
- Try an Energy Saving Monitor. These devices will help you know how much energy is being used in your home. They are available to borrow free from all Calderdale Libraries. So, you can switch off and save up to 15% of your energy bill.
Low cost
- Replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. Fitting just one bulb can save £3 a year and they are now very cheap to buy from local supermarkets, DIY stores and electrical retailers.
- Draught proof your home. Draught proofing around doors and windows can save around £20 a year from your heating bill.
- Fit an insulating jacket on your hot water tank and insulating your hot water pipes. These measures can save you up to £45 a year.
- Insulate floors by filling gaps in the floor boards and skirting boards. This can save around £20 a year.
Higher cost
- Loft and cavity wall fibre insulation. Check yours is up to current standards (270mm/11 inches). It can save as much as £265 per year on your energy bills. (Source - Energy Saving Trust; figure based on an un insulated 3 bedroom semi-detached house.) Free and discounted insulation is available to private owners and tenants living in Calderdale. For more details on the support available see Housing energy grants.
- Replacing your old boiler with an energy efficient one will typically save up to 20% of your heating bill.
- If you are buying a new appliance, choose an energy-efficient one. Look for the Energy Star logo on IT equipment and the Energy Saving Recommended label on kitchen appliances. In most cases an A-rated appliance is the best, but be aware that the ratings for fridges and freezers go up to A++.
- Install renewable energy on your home such as solar electricity (photovoltaics) or a wind turbine when appropriate. The Feed In Tariff (FIT) imitative will assist in reducing the payback period for installations of renewable electricity generation. For more details, please visit: Ofgem guidance on feed in tariffs.
- Install solar water heating panels on your roof. A typical domestic system will cost between £3,000 and £5,000 to install. On average, solar water heating will save £50 - £80 per year off your heating bills.
Heat loss from a typical domestic house
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Typical heat loss rates from the average domestic house is:
- 33% through external walls.
- 26% through the roof.
- 18% through windows.
- 12% from ventilation and draughts.
- 8% through the floors.
- 3% through external doors.
Useful links
- For more about appliance energy ratings, visit: Energy Saving Trust.
- For more about keeping your house warm and energy efficiency grants, please see: Healthy Homes - Energy efficiency.
- For energy saving tips for business, visit: Energy saving tips for businesses.