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ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE HOME

About 27% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the energy used to heat, light and power our homes. We can do much in our homes to use energy more efficiently which will reduce carbon emissions and save money on fuel bills. Being more energy efficient at home is one of the most cost effective ways of reducing carbon emissions.

The main tips to reduce energy are:

• don’t leave appliances on stand by: turn them off (including lights)
• insulate your house (cavity wall and loft insulation, and draught proof around doors)
• insulate the hot water tank and pipes
• turn the thermostat down by 1 degree centigrade (this could cut your heating bill by 10%)
• buy energy efficient appliances
• replace boilers with energy efficient models
• install appropriate heating controls.

Many of these measures are simple but can save a lot of energy (and money). For example, 30% of heat can be lost through the walls of your house and 15% through the roof. Cavity wall and loft insulation dramatically reduces these losses. Cavity wall insulation can save you up to £160 a year and 800kg of carbon.

There are grants and discounted schemes available towards the cost of home insulation and heating systems. The Warm Front Grant gives money towards the cost of new heating systems and insulation to those on various forms of benefit. Those over 70 years old can usually obtain free cavity wall and loft insulation.