Energy Tips
Save money on your fuel bills with these energy saving tips ...
Although energy bills have been rising, you could actually save money by using energy more efficiently throughout your home.
Most of us are not used to thinking about how we use the energy that powers our homes. But simple changes to your daily habits can have a huge effect on the gas and electricity bills that drop through your door.
The energy saving tips and information on this site are designed to help you control the impact of rising energy bills without effecting your lifestyle
For example, if you install energy efficient double glazed windows and loft insulation, when it's time to replace your boiler and heating system, you may be able to manage with a smaller one that costs less, because the windows and walls will retain the heated air inside better than a home without efficient windows and insulation. And because heating makes up the majority of your energy bills, you'll save the most money by reducing your heating needs.
Applying energy saving improvements in your home will not only make your
home more comfortable, but can also deliver long-term financial rewards.
Permanently lower energy bills will more than make up for the higher cost
of installing energy efficient appliances and improvements.
Solid wall insulation
If you have solid walls you can either insulate them with external or internal
insulation, saving you around €500 to over €1000 a year on your
energy bills
Draught proofing
Using strips and excluders to draught proof around leaky door and window
frames can save around €80 a year on heating and cooling bills.
Glazing
Double glazing cuts heat lost through windows by half and installing Energy
Saving Recommended double glazing could save around €185 a year on
your heating bills. Double glazing works by trapping air between two panes
of glass creating an insulating barrier that reduces heat loss, noise and
condensation.
Lighting
Energy saving lightbulbs have always been a bright idea - for your pocket
and the environment. They use up to 80 per cent less electricity than a
standard bulb, but produce the same amount of light. In other words, they
can help you to save money and energy, all in one wise purchase. And by
saving energy, you'll be helping to fight climate change too.
Carbon Footprint
The term ‘carbon footprint’ is being used more and more as climate change and greenhouse gases becomes hot topics around the world. So what is a carbon footprint and why do we need to know about it?
A carbon footprint is an expression used to describe the amount of carbon
dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) emitted in a life cycle. This life
cycle could be that of a product, service, individual or group of people
such as a business, and a Life Cycle Assessment is used to calculate the
carbon footprint in question. A Life Cycle Assessment looks at everything
which contributes to carbon emissions including, in the case of a product
for example, the production of raw materials, the manufacturing process,
transportation and packaging.
•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. Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers and Dishwashers
•Use a low temperature setting and only wash full loads or use a half-load
or economy programme.
•In summer, dry your clothes outside rather than using a tumble dryer.
•When drying your clothes indoors, use a clothes rail instead of a radiator
as this stops the heat from reaching the rest of the room.
•Modern dishwashers use less energy and water than washing up by hand.
Cooking
•Use a pan which is the same size as the cooker ring to prevent heat loss.
•Use a lid on saucepans where possible, so the contents heat up faster
and require less energy.
•Consider using pressure cookers, steamers and microwaves which use less
energy.
Hot Water
•When using a kettle, only boil as much water as you need.
•If you live in a hard water area, limescale can effect 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% of the water required
for a bath.
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Small changes equal big energy savings
The biggest long-term savings come from changing your energy habits and
being more energy efficient around the home.
As you start to see savings its a good idea to re-invest this money in energy saving products and appliances to reduce your energy consumption even further. The long-term savings will more than pay for the cost of purchasing and installing these measures.
Start using these no-cost energy saving tips energy saving ideas around your home and measure the reduction in your next few energy bills. The more you apply the more you'll save.
Heating Tips
•Set your heating to go off 30 minutes before you leave the house, and
come on again 30 minutes before you expect to return.
•Turn the room thermostat down by 1 degree. This can save you around €50
a year.
•Make sure your radiators are not obstructed by curtains or furniture.
•Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep the heat generated inside your
rooms.
•Insulate your loft space and consider cavity wall insulation too.
Electrical Appliances
•Use energy efficient light bulbs which use less energy and last up to
ten times longer than standard bulbs.