guide to energy saving

Everywhere we turn these days, we're bombarded with messages about climate change and global warming. Many of us may feel a little helpless, but by making just a few simple adjustments to the way we live, we can all make a real contribution to help reverse the effects of climate change, save ourselves some money and even increase our chances of selling our homes.

Reasons to be green

Being green is obviously helpful in protecting the environment, but it can also translate into cost savings, too, so there's an added incentive to make a change. In addition, the energy efficiency of your home is even more important if you're looking to sell your house in the near future. Energy Performance Certificates are now a major part of the Home Information Pack (HIP), which buyers will see once your home goes on the market if your property has 3 or more bedrooms. Improving the energy efficiency of your home could help improve your chances of selling it. Read our guide to HIPs when selling a property for more information.

Just by making a few simple alterations to our homes and the way we live, we can make a big difference. So, how can you start to make a positive change that'll also put more money in your pocket in the long run? Here's an example: just changing standard light bulbs to energy-efficient ones can cut the average home's carbon emissions by up to half a tonne in just one year. Impressive. So what else can we do?

Heating and heating systems

Even making small changes to the way you heat your home can make a difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving you money.

Turn down heating and hot water temperature settings

Just by turning down heating and hot water temperatures by a degree, you can save approximately £15-£40 on your bills each year as well as significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Insulate your tank

An un-insulated hot water tank is a massive drain on energy as it takes a lot longer to heat the water, so insulate it and save money and energy.

Foil reflectors

Instead of letting the heat generated by your radiators go into the walls behind them, put foil reflectors on the areas behind them and the heat will reflect back into the room.

Draw the curtains

Something as simple as drawing the curtains can save energy, by stopping the heat escaping through the windows, especially if you don't have double glazing.

Don't heat unoccupied rooms

Adjust the thermostat on individual radiators, so that when the heating goes on, you're only heating rooms that you use.

Gas

Gas is one of the better heating fuels and it's more efficient than coal, oil or electricity. Combination boilers heat water on demand and are more efficient and cheaper than having a boiler that heats up a hot water tank. Having a combi boiler also does away with the need for a hot water tank so it's also good for saving space. If you're renewing your heating system and updating to a combi boiler, it is a good idea to make sure it is Energy Efficiency Recommended.

Solar water heating

This is generally a roof-mounted solar collector panel which channels the heat from the sun into a hot water tank. The solar panel can also be channelled through some combi boilers. They can be cost-effective for those with electric heating systems but can be quite expensive to install.

Ground source heat pumps

These pumps store heat from the ground. A length of plastic pipe is filled with a mixture of water and anti-freeze and buried in the ground. This then absorbs the heat and an electric compressor raises the temperature to a useful level and it's then transferred to the home as under-floor heating and to the radiators. The electric compressor can be made completely renewable by installing a small wind turbine. It is generally more cost effective to have a smaller system with a gas driven immersion system in times of peak demand. This is a costly option but you could save up to two-thirds on your energy bills. You will also need a good level of insulation.

Insulation

Improving your home's insulation can be cheaper and have a greater impact than installing a solar panel.

Windows

Double glazing is the best form of insulation. However, changing your windows from single to double glazing can be costly. The best frames are wooden, but they should be from a sustainable forest. PVC is the worst material because it cannot be recycled. If you do have single glazing and aren't in a position to change your windows, the next best thing is to draft-proof them.

Loft insulation

Current building regulations require that the minimum thickness of insulation in new buildings is 20cm. If yours is less than 10cm, you should seriously consider adding to it. Materials such as wool or flax are more energy-efficient than many non-renewable materials.

Walls

If your home has cavity walls (most homes built after 1930 do), it would be a good idea to fill the cavity with an insulating material - either foam or mineral wool, depending on your budget. You may also like to consider internal or external insulation, though this is relatively costly and does require redecoration.

Electricity

Here are some of the ways you can generate 'green electricity' and cut back on your usage:

Green electricity tariffs

You can ask your power supplier or a specialist company to supply you with a green electricity tariff. This means that the supplier will agree to put green-generated electricity into the National Grid. However, a green tariff does not make you carbon neutral and suppliers may use your tariff to meet their legal obligation to purchase a certain proportion of their power from renewable resources.

Wind turbines

There are two different kinds of wind turbines: stand-alones (which are raised on a mast) and smaller ones designed to be mounted on buildings. The power output depends on wind speed, wind obstructions (other buildings) and the length of the blades. Turbines mounted on buildings can provide up to 20% of a household's needs. A stand-alone turbine can generate up to twice the amount a typical household would need. This can then be fed back into the National Grid. For more information, visit the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).

Solar photovoltaic

This is the process of generating electricity from sunlight. Sunlight systems are expensive to install, although the Government could contribute to as much as half of the cost.

Tips for cutting back on your electricity use

There are plenty of other ways to make small changes to the way you consume electricity that can make a difference.

Fridges

Minimise the time the fridge door is open and try to defrost freezers regularly. Keep the grille at the back clean at all times to keep it running efficiently.

Washing machines

Always buy a washing machine with the highest energy efficiency rating. Most of the energy used is for heating the water, so select a lower temperature and a shorter cycle wherever possible.

Dishwashers

Like a washing machine, you should opt for the coolest washing setting that will still get the job done. Try to avoid using your dishwasher until it's completely full.

Lighting

Energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs reduce energy waste by up to 75% and they last longer. Halogen lighting is not quite as efficient as fluorescent lighting, but is twice as efficient as incandescent lighting. Don't light empty rooms. When you leave a room, turn off the light!

Standby

Turn off any electrical equipment that has a standby button, such as TV's, videos, DVD players, stereos and computers. Most of this equipment uses as much energy on standby as it does when turned on. A microwave uses more energy lighting up its clock than it does cooking food!

Boiling water

Only boil as much water as you need to use, don't fill the kettle right up to make one cup of tea.

Mobile phones

Always unplug your mobile phone charger once it's fully charged. You can save up to £4 a year just by doing this.

You will be amazed at how much you'll save, just by making a few minor adjustments to the way you live at home. In addition, these small steps collectively can also help reduce your carbon footprint. Read our article on how to reduce your carbon footprint to give you some more ideas on what you can do to help the environment.

You can sign up to the free Friends of the Earth 'green your lifestyle' e-mails, which will automatically send tips on how to save energy and live a greener life, straight to your inbox.

The content provided in the Primelocation.com guides is for information only. In all cases, independent and professional advice should be sought before buying, selling, letting or renting property, or buying financial services products.