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EFFICIENT
LIVING
Careful use of natural resources will save you money and create a healthier,
more comfortable home as well as helping the environment.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT
HOME
Using
less energy around the home is much easier to achieve than you might
think. Reducing heat loss to a minimum, making simple design changes,
choosing and using your appliances wisely, and changing a few old habits
can make all the difference to your energy bills, your comfort and to
the environment.
TOP
TEN ENERGY SAVERS
1)
Make sure that your home is well insulated. A properly insulated home
can be up to 10°C warmer in winter and as much as 7°C cooler
in summer.
2) Whenever the weather permits,
use a clothes line instead of a tumble dryer to dry your washing. You'll
save money and help to reduce greenhouse gases by about 3 kilograms
for every load of washing.
3) One of the simplest ways to save
energy is to switch off appliances at the wall when you won't be using
them for a few hours. Keeping appliances on stand-by can account for
10 per cent of a household electricity bill.
4) If your central heating has an
adjustable thermostat, try turning the heating down a degree. You may
not notice much difference in temperature, but you could make big savings:
a reduction of 1°C can reduce bills by as much as 10 per cent.
5) Plug gaps around windows and
doors, and any other external openings, using draught excluders. Draughtproofing
can cut household heat loss by up to 25 per cent in winter.
6) Reduce heat loss by up to one-third
in winter by covering windows with heavy, lined, close-fitting curtains
and a closed pelmet.
7) Replace standard incandescent
light bulbs with low-energy compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Although
a little more expensive than conventional bulbs, energy-saving lightbulbs
are much more efficient, lasting between 6 and 15 times longer than
standard bulbs and using 80 per cent less electricity. Replacing a standard
100W light bulb with a 20W low-energy bulb can save around £12
per year in electricity costs.
8) Select appliances that are both
energy-efficient and the right size for your needs - a 284-litre fridge
will use 20 per cent more energy than a 210-litre fridge, even if they
both have the same energy rating.
9)
Make sure that your hot-water tank and pipes are properly insulated
with lagging. In an average home, heating water accounts for more than
one-quarter of the household energy bill; and as much as half of total
water-heating costs can be due to heat loss.
10) Switch to a green energy supplier.
They buy a percentage of electricity from renewable sources and switching
could cut your carbon footprint by nearly 6%.
The
energy we use each day accounts for about half of the UK's carbon dioxide
emissions
Household
energy use
More than half of the energy used in an average home goes on heating
the house and the hot water. Any energy-saving measures implemented
in these areas will have a big impact in reducing the overall energy
consumption - and the fuel bills, too.
ENERGY
RATINGS
Today it's easier than ever to compare the energy efficiency of similar
products thanks to a range of energy labels. By law, the EU energy rating
label must be shown on all fridges, freezers, washing machines, washer-dryers,
tumble dryers, dishwashers, electric ovens and light bulb packaging.
" What it means The EU energy
label rates products from A (the most energy efficient) to G (the least
efficient). Reflecting advances in energy efficiency, the rating goes
up to A++ for fridges and freezers.
" The benefits Most properties
on the market now have to include Home Information Packs (HIPs). Buyers
will receive detailed information on the energy efficiency of a home
with a rating of A to G. Houses with a good rating will sell quicker.
Properties with a poor rating may be eligible for grants to improve
their energy efficiency. For more information, contact the Warm Front
Hardship Fund or your local council.
Extract
taken from:
Reader's Digest THE GREEN HOME published
on 25 September at £9.99.
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