When money is tight it is tempting to worry about day to day issues, organisations like the Energy Saving Trust think this might mean 'big' problems like tacking Climate Change and helping the Environment get put on the back burner.
This is why they are currently running a campaign to encourage people to save money and save the environment at the same time. The average home can save £340 a year by being energy efficient and they are giving simple steps to save money and help the environment too.
Look for cavities... Around 33% of the heat lost in an un-insulated home is through the walls, so insulating them can be one of the most cost-effective ways to save energy in the home. Not all buildings are suitable, but if your home was built between the 1920s and 1980s then it could be a candidate for cavity wall insulation and you could save up to £160 on your annual heating bills!
Be nice to your freezer... Fridge freezers are the most hardworking appliances in our kitchens - in fact, UK households use £2.2 billion worth of electricity on refrigeration and freezing every year. To help cut costs, don't leave the door open longer than necessary, as cold air will escape. Avoid putting hot food into the fridge, defrost the freezer regularly and check the door seals are working properly.
Look for the logo... Look out for the energy saving recommended logo when you're buying new electrical appliances. The logo appears on a growing range of products - from light bulbs to laundry appliances, indicating the most energy efficient appliances which are also cheaper to run. Replacing an old, energy inefficient fridge-freezer with a new energy saving recommended one could save you up to £39 every year.
Treat your hot water tank...give it a jacke An insulating jacket for hot water tanks only costs a few pounds and pays for itself within months. Fit one that's at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £40 a year. If every UK household fitted a jacket on their tank tomorrow, we'd save around £170 million of energy every year!
Draw at dusk..., closing your curtains at dusk will stop heat escaping through windows.
A bright idea... buy an energy efficient light bulb When the days are shorter you'll be relying on your lights more. Trade up your ordinary light bulbs for energy saving ones. Priced from just £2.00, energy efficient light bulbs last around 10 times longer and for each bulb you fit, you can save around £3 on your annual electricity bill. At the moment many supermarkets are offering 5 energy saving bulbs for 40p so get in quick.
Be switched on - take a Home Energy Check...
For a report on how much energy can be saved in your own home, fill out the Energy Saving Trust's on-line home energy check www.energysavingtrust.org.uk Alternatively, you can obtain a paper version by calling your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012. Staff at your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre can also provide you with free, impartial advice on how to make your home more energy efficient and talk to you about the grants available in your area to implement energy efficient measures.
As always if I can help on this or any other issue please feel free to contact me at my offices at St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT or call (0191) 414 2488.
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |