The Government has already committed to saving UK households thousands of pounds through a new ‘Green Deal’ intended to revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties.
A framework is currently being devised to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost - and to recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the energy bill.
The first Green Deals are due to appear this autumn, with formal consultation currently ongoing.
Figures from the Department of Energy & Climate Change show that a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the energy used in homes.
Here is some advice how to save energy and money:
- Check your loft insulation is thick enough and in good condition. A depth of 11 inches is recommended. Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and double-glazing can all help protect your home and save money on heating bills. You may be eligible for a grant to help with this work.
- Bleed radiators to get rid of any air inside which may lead to increased bills if the water can’t heat up effectively.
- Turning the room thermostat down by just one degree can save around £30 a year.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs that use less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs.
- Turn off household appliances such as microwaves, TVs, videos, music systems, and computers when not in use, as they continue to use energy when they are left on standby.
- Defrost your fridge frequently and check the door seals.
- In summer, dry your clothes outside rather than using a tumble dryer. But if you do need to dry your clothes indoors, use a clothes rail instead of a radiator as this stops the heat from reaching the rest of the room.
- If you live in a hard water area, limescale can affect the efficiency of your kettle. Look out for a buildup of limescale in your kettle and treat with vinegar or descaling solutions.
- Consider turning the thermostat on your hot water tank down to 60 degrees centigrade, which is a comfortable temperature for most people and will save on your heating costs.
- If you have a standard shower it will use around 40 per cent of the water required for a bath.
