INDUSTRY COMMENT
FROM INSULATION TO EFFICIENT HEATING: TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY IN THE HOME by Keith Bastian, CEO of clean energy supplier Outfox theMarket and electric home heating provider Fischer Future Heat
As the Government pushes towards its net zero carbon targets, and with homeowners continuing to seek ways to make their homes more efficient, a study has revealed the most common areas of energy loss in the home.
1 Single Glazing Whether they are open or closed, windows allow a substantial amount of heat to escape, particularly if they are old, or aren’t double glazed. An essential feature of any home that wishes to improve its efficiency, double-glazed windows function as to keepmore heat in, with the second, thicker, layer of glazing enabling the window to trap heat inside. Our own research shows that double glazing
can result in a 10% saving as energy consumption is reduced to 9.4kW. Although the typical house loses around 10% of its heat from windows, a home with single glazed windows lose up to 70% of heat and energy.
2 Poor Insulation Walls, loft and flooring – poor insulation in all or any one of these areas are a huge contributing factor to energy loss within the home. Almost 25%of heat is lost through the roof of a
poorly insulated home. This, however, is something relatively simple and straightforward to rectify, and the same goes for walls and flooring too.
Insulation can come in a variety of different
forms, such as: cavity wall insulation, floor insulation, and loft insulation. Insulation offers many benefits, including that
it: Provides a comfortable temperature all year round; Limits noise pollution; Improves general home and energy efficiency; Reduces energy bills; Reduces carbon footprint as less energy is wasted; and it limits condensation. Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and floor
insulation could all equate to a saving of 20% each. If a homeowner chooses to install all three types, they could be saving themselves an impressive 60% on their energy bills.
3 Smart Meters and Thermostats Homeowners should ensure that their smart meters are set up correctly and are situated somewhere with good signal in order for the meter to produce accurate readings. Not only that, but they should also ensure that they remain up to date, particularly if they have switched providers, as the smart meter may lose its functionality and lead to inaccurate readings. As for thermostats, it is wise to have one in
each room so that the temperature can be tailored accordingly. This will allow homeowners to create the perfect temperature for their needs, whilst bringing in additional savings.
4 Inefficient Heating Systems Many homes with outdated and inefficient heating systems may find themselves experiencing energy loss throughout their home. This inefficient use of energy can lead to higher energy bills and also leads to increased carbon emissions. Gas central heating systems are significantly
Keith Bastian
less efficient than electric alternatives. And with sustainability at the forefront of people’s minds, as well as seeking ways to minimise energy loss, switching energy sources is the best way to do that. Modern electric radiators help to control the
temperature in each room, particularly when used in conjunction with thermostatic control. These heaters are highly adaptable and respond dynamically to any sudden changes in air temperature, minimising energy waste. Electricity is an effective renewable source of
energy too, and if a homeowner installs solar panels, they can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and improve their overall efficiency.
5 Doors Similar to windows, doors can also be a common cause of energy loss. Doorsmade of thinmaterial, or with cracks inmay need replacing in order to prevent your home fromlosing energy and heat. Also, remember that glass isn’t the best
insulator, particularly if it isn’t double glazed, and so it may be a good idea to consider a door with minimal (or no) glass. However, if your doors are in fairly good condition
but you still want to find new ways of preventing energy loss, then a simple draught excludermay just do the trick. You can alsomake sure your windows, lofts and floorboards are draught-proof to further increase your home’s efficiency.
6 Lights Leaving the lights on when they are not needed is one of the most common causes of energy loss in the home. Whilst turning lights off when leaving the room may be incredibly simple, research from a national survey shows that 21% (an estimated 14 million) of people regularly leave lights on when leaving the house. Something as simple as switching lights off can save homeowners up to £200 each year. As well as wasting energy, leaving lights on can
cause incredible financial losses as well as having a significant impact on air pollution rates. Leaving unnecessary lights on in our homes accounts for 26,880,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions per day. By following the above tips, homeowners can
reduce energy consumption and costs.
www.fischerfutureheat.com/
www.energymanagementmag.co.uk ENERGY MANAGEMENT - Winter 2021 5
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