Home Energy Efficiency
On this page you will find information on work that you can do to your home, to make it more efficient. In most cases, you can secure funding, or subsidy to help you impliment the energy saving measures. For the top ten free, or low cost ideas to save energy, please visit the free tips page.
Size Matters
Do you know how deep your loft insulation is? The recommended depth of loft insulation is now 250mm (10 inches). Insulating your loft to 250mm may save you up to £140 on you annual fuel bills. There are several grants available for loft insulation, many of which cover the majority of the cost involved.
What's in your walls?
If you house was built since 1930, you probably have cavity walls (which is an outside wall, then an air gap and an inside wall.) By filling the gap wth insuation material, you could save up to £120 on your annual fuel bills. There are also several subsidy grants available for cavity wall insulation
Solid walls?
If your home was build prior to 1930, then it will most likely have solid walls. Solid wall properties loose a staggering 45% of heat through the walls, and can suffer from damp and mould problems. These walls are more difficult, and more expensive to insulate. However, it can be done by either internal or external wall insulation. Once done, the savings in heating fuel can equate to £260 pounds per year
For internal wall insulation, you can get a 20% discount via the Warm Walls scheme as outlined under "grants".
Condensing Boilers
Are you are considering the installation of a new boiler or heating system?
Since April 2005, all heating installers are legally required to fit an energy efficient boiler. Condensing boilers are currently the most environmentally friendly, and could save you around £900 over a fifteen year life span of the boiler.
We hold a list of energy efficient boilers, that can be obtained at trade prices. For more information, see the Magic Boiler scheme under grants for discounts.
Low Energy Light Bulbs
Change your normal light bulbs for low energy bulbs.
Low energy light bulbs can cost less than 7 pence to run over 50 hours. Each one you install in your home will save you around £10 per year on your electricity bills. Not only will you save in this respect, they can also last up to 12 times longer than normal light bulbs. You can now get them in many styles such as candle, spirals, spot lights, dimmable, and dusk sensors
You can also get discounts for low energy bulbs. Have a look at the grants page for more information.
