HEATING

Most people rely on gas and/or electricity to heat their home and to provide themselves with hot water. Around one sixth of the carbon dioxide that the UK generates comes from the gas and oil boilers that we use to heat our homes. This section concentrates on how to save gas and electricity used for heating.


  • Monitor your consumption by reading your gas meter on a regular basis.
  • Turn down the thermostat on your boiler. A 1 degree C reduction could save 10% of your heating bill.
  • Install thermostatic valves on all your radiators so you can control heat in each room.
  • Set the clock on your boiler so that heating comes on 30 minutes before you get home and turns off 30 minutes before you leave.
  • Replace a 10-15 year old boiler with a 90% efficient condensing boiler. Grants are available, consult the Energy Advice Centre in Southampton (0800 512012)
  • Insulate your hot water cylinder to at least 75mm thickness (DIY insulating cylinder jacket costs around £15-20 but can save you around £18 per year). Ensure that pipe work is insulated.
  • If your hot water is too hot to touch, then you are wasting energy.
  • Generate your own renewable energy, See our section on renewables 


INSULATION

If you are over the age of 70 or on some benefits, cavity and loft insulation is provided free of charge. Get in touch with GoWarm who will arrange for fitters to do the job for you. If you are not eligible for free insulation and you live in a 2-5 bedroom house, you can have it fitted for a total cost of £99 for each (total £198 for wall and roof insulation), contact GoWarm for more information. A surveyor measures up and if rooms are larger than the allowed square meterage, they will assess the excess. Installers are not builders and they will not undertake any building work that might be required in relation to the fitting of the insulation. For cavity wall insulation the householder needs to remove bushes etc up to 1.5m from around the property.


Did you know:


  • In an uninsulated house, a quarter of heat loss is through the roof. 
  • By not insulating your loft, you could be wasting about 15% of your heating bill
  • Recommended thickness for insulation is now 270mm.

If you plan to lay the insulation yourself, go for the eco-friendly, non itchy insulation made from sheep's wool or recycled material such as Warmcell which is made from recycled newspapers.  See ecofirst or GreenSteps


Why not assess how energy efficient your home is. All rented properties are now required to hold an Energy Performance Certificate, any property can request an EPC - What is it? Find out more




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