In the 21st Century, saving energy doesn’t only mean saving the planet – it also means saving cash! The Best You gives some tips that you can use to make your home more energy efficient!
Buy a halogen oven It can roast a chicken in 30 minutes. A halogen oven uses 75% less electricity than a conventional electric oven. When you combine this lower use of power with the 50% faster cooking time you are can see a big reduction in your electricity bill.
Block your chimney An unblocked fireplace can mean money up the chimney – hundreds of pounds each year. You can cap your chimney or, if you use it occasionally, block the draught with an inflatable chimney balloon.
Install a voltage optimisation device
The difference between the voltage fed into your home and what your appliances need could mean that a standard appliance takes more than 4 % more current and consumes almost 9% more energy than necessary. The technology could save you up to 10% on your electricity bills. A voltage optimisation device will need to be installed by a professional electrician.
Get shower savvy Modern high-power showers can use as much water in five minutes as it takes to fill a bath. Energy-efficient shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce the amount of water delivered from taps and shower heads by 50 % but still allow you to enjoy an invigorating shower. You save on your water bill (if you have a meter) and on the energy required to heat your water.
Cavity wall insulation Up to 35% of heat can be lost through the walls of an uninsulated house. If you own a typical three-bedroom semi with cavity walls, insulation can save up to £135 a year in heating bills – and grants of are widely available from the major energy suppliers to pay for insulation.
Draught-proofing
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to save energy but is often overlooked. Savings of £55 a year are possible, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Where it is practical you should seal windows, doors, loft hatches and pipe work leading outside
Don’t forget the letter box The British-invented Ecoflap letterbox replaces the brush, seal and gravity flap draught excluders you traditionally get on letterboxes and uses the wind to blow it shut.
Loft insulation You can lose a quarter of your heat through an uninsulated roof. Even where you have insulation it may be worth topping it up. The recommended level is typically 270mm (11").
Eco lighting Lighting accounts for 8 % of typical household energy bills. Replacing one traditional light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb of the same brightness will typically save around £3 a year, or £55 over the lifetime of the product, according to the Energy Saving Trust. LED lights are becoming increasingly popular and use 10 % of the energy of a typical light bulb.
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