Home Energy Saving | UK Home Energy Saving Advice

There are many ways to save energy and reduce fuel utility bills in modern and older homes like the home energy saving measures outlined here. We recommend starting out by viewing the section regarding Renewable Energy Resources as a starter for home efficiency savings, with an introduction to some Green Energy solutions for the home owner. This section serves to provide homeowners with further facts and information to help reduce energy consumption, and thus maintain a sustainable future through the reduction of CO2 emissions further enhancing "green" credentials, while saving money in the process.

Home Efficiency Measures

EPC certificates give every home an "A to G" rating for its energy efficiency and carbon emissions. A ratings indicate higher efficiency, and G ratings are the least efficient. The certificates detail also provide projected costs for heating, hot water and lighting in the home under review and a report indicating how to cut costs through energy efficiency recommendations. These reports, prepared by either a qualified home inspector, or DEA domestic energy assessor advise homeowners on which measures should be considered to improve the overall ratings. By adopting some simple energy saving tips and advice you can make improvements to your home energy rating.

What is meant by "Payback Time"?

Quite simply the payback time is determined by your initial outlay for your chosen renewable energy option (the hardware and installation costs) verses the time it takes for your savings in energy costs to pay for the green energy solution you have chosen for your project. Thereafter, you begin to save money on your utility bills. A typical low cost solution for home energy generation is a domestic wind turbine for your home, as the initial costs are lower than say the installation of solar panels or a ground source heat pump, these installations may take longer to pay for themselves. It is worth considering seeking specialist advice for any renewable energy option to determine if the solution is the right one for your needs.

Minimising heat loss in the home

Many houses in the UK have poor insulation standards. This is true of homes that are older, unlike modern homes where building standards have improved dramatically in recent years, the standards of insulation in walls and lofts are significantly better. However, there are many ways to improve heat loss in any home.

Cavity Wall - if your property has cavity walls you can add insulation to the wall using different materials. The air gap is filled using specialist materials to help reduce heat loss to the outside atmosphere, thus trapping the heat inside the home, which can make a significant contribution on cold winter nights. Such technology has been tried and tested, providing benefits to many homeowners, there are many qualified contractors nationwide which can provide a service to insulate cavity walls, an inspector can carry out a small check to see if your house is suitable, in some cases investment in cavity wall insulation can pay for itself within 12 months and only requires a single day to perform the installation.

We have provided a list of Cavity Wall Insulation suppliers,installers and companies.

Loft Insulation can be a cheaper option to install, some local authority's (your local council) can even provide a grant to assist in the cost of the installation, you could also carry out a DIY Loft insulation yourself by obtaining the materials from a DIY store. The more insulation you place in your loft, the less heat loss will occur through the roof, the current thickness standard is 270mm. Current Building Regulations require a minimum thickness of 250mm. If you have a loft space that has been converted into a roof room then you will need to insulate in the sloping roof (the eaves). Good levels of loft space insulation is essential to prevent heat losses through the roof. The most common types of insulation use quilted type, filling the joists, or in some cases a contractor may use "blown mineral fibre" to coat the loft area, filling the rafter space. A less common form is insulating the loft at the rafters.

Floor Insulation can be installed if it is possible to access the space below the floorboards, usually via the basement (cellar) in older properties, in some cases it is possible to fit insulation bats between the floor joists under the existing floor. If this is not possible then you can raise the existing floorboards or, in the case of a solid floor you can raise the existing floor level. Find out more about floor insulation specialists and companies.

Home Energy Saving Advice, Tips and Ideas

Draught-proofing

Draught-proofing is a simple and effective method to improve home efficiency. Draughts often occur down chimneys, or around window and door frames, also, through a letterbox, and cat/dog flaps, or where utility services enter the property, at skirting boards, and between floorboards in older property. You can carry out a simple DIY test to locate where draughts occur, simply carry around a smoking stick a cigarette fr example, hold near to a draught you suspect and note that that the smoke will be blown horizontally. Remember that some natural ventilation is essential in the home, i.e. providing air to a room with a fuel burning appliance, and ventilating timbers in the roof and floor of the property, but also minimise unwanted ventilation in the house. Use a sealant to fill the gap around skirting boards, between any floorboards and around service ducts, ventilation holes. In older premises unused chimneys should be boarded up, however it is advisable to include a breather to prevent dampness occurring. Draught seals and wiper seals are available from your local DIY store and can be used on any openings such as windows, doors, cat flaps and letterboxes in your home.

Draught Proofing companies and specialists are available in our register.

Low Energy Lighting

Energy Saving Lighting

Energy efficient lighting can significantly change your energy bill. Low energy bulbs can save you money, they last longer, require less replacement, and are more economical to run in the long term if you fit them in your home. Replacing conventional light bulbs with an energy-saving equivalent can last up to 10 times longer. Energy efficient bulbs are relatively cheap and are now phasing out conventional filament bulbs, energy efficient bulbs can prove to provide a good saving on your electricity bills in a year.

If buying new bulbs look to see the energy rating, bulbs that are rated A are the most energy efficient.

Hot Water Tank Lagging and Insulation

Lagging your hot water tank correctly saves money, and reduces heat loss. If you fit a good quality British Standard jacket at least 100mm thick, this will help reduce the heat loss in stored water in your home. If there are supply pipes to and from your hot water cylinder, consider lagging them as well. Lagging is relatively cheap to install, and is available from any good DIY store.

Home Energy Saving Ideas

Adopting good energy practice in the home

Remember to turn off lights in rooms that are not in use, turn off all appliances that are normally left on standby, particularly televisions and consumer electronics items like computers, turning down tour central heating thermostat by one or two degrees is also a good way to save. If you have a hot water cylinder thermostat fitted ensure that the temperature is set at 60°C/140°F, this is the optimum setting for hot water in the home.

Energy Efficient Gas/Oil Boilers

Modern condensing gas boilers are far more efficient than conventional boilers, a combi-boiler which is a condensing boiler is 90% efficient (A rated), to say a conventional gas back boiler which typically is only 70% efficient.

If you have an old boiler installed, consider installing an efficient combi boiler, which produces hot water on demand, rather than heating water in a hot water cylinder tank, which you may not even use.

Double Glazing

Double glazed windows are better insulators compared to their single glazed counterparts. Home double glazing provides superior insulation qualities by virtue of their construction, and the thermal properties of the glazing used.

Double Glazing Suppliers and Contractors.

Some types of properties however cannot be fitted with double glazing. These include listed buildings, whereby replacement sealed unit glass is used for example within the original sash window frame.

Sunpipes are an optional way to bring natural daylight into your home, The Sunpipe is a way to save on lighting by brightening areas from sunrise till sunset, where daylight from windows cannot reach into your home. They are installed in the rooftop of domestic homes, they require no maintenance, and will not leak.

Further information about Double Glazing Suppliers

Further information about Sunpipe Suppliers.

Home Energy Saving Tips

Underfloor Heating for homes

Underfloor heating is another method of heating your home and can be more fuel efficient than the conventional radiator based system. It is favoured for use in new build property and is used in conjunction with a ground source heat pump, or solar based system. In practical terms it provides an even and balanced temperature under the floor, and as the installation is underfloor allows better flexibility for interior space, for furnishings for example. Retro-fitting underfloor heating systems to existing property can be difficult, as considerable work would be required to the existing floors in the property.

Further information about Underfloor Heating Contractors.

Building Design Products

The current design of buildings should encompass the environmental principles whilst maximising the sustainability and practicality of the building for the owner. There are many specialist consultants available in this field, find out more about Sustainable Homes.

Find companies for Building Design Products

Consideration should be given to new build homes as to the orientation and position to maximise solar gain, in this way, it can help reduce energy use, particularly in winter months. High levels of insulation should be used, and the materials used in the construction are obtained from sustainable sources.

The Sustainable Building Code helps to address these issues. The Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) also known as the BRE Ecohomes System. Assessors known as Code Assessors are specialists in this field.

Further information about Environmental Building Design Products

Funding & Grants

The UK Government has a strategy to help reduce "fuel poverty" in Britain. Families can claim certain benefits to secure a Grant or funding for energy efficiency measures. If you claim one or more of the following benefits you may be eligible to receive a grant for insulation, lighting or a high efficiency gas boiler to replace Grade G heating boilers. In many cases it is worthwhile contacting your local council who provide schemes for this purpose. Some of the benefits include if you are claiming:

• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit (but not including the single occupancy reduction)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• War Disablement Pension (which includes mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance)
• Disablement Pension Credit (which includes constant attendance allowance)
• Child Tax Credit (household income of less than £14,600)
• Working Tax Credit (household income of less than £14,600)
• State Pension Credit

Please note that some of these entitlements may change due to varying legislation, and Government sponsored schemes. See also Home Energy Saving Grants.

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