Creating an energy-efficient home 25 May 2009
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WITH everyone watching their pennies, there’s a new financial impetus to becoming greener.
We all know that saving on energy can result in smaller energy bills, and it’s still the hot topic for 2009.
A recent online poll conducted by the organisers of the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show revealed that 50% of respondents put buying energy-efficient products ahead of investing in quality materials, design or project management when spending on their building project.
An added bonus is that investing in energy-saving products should add value to your home. According to the Energy Savings Trust, the average added value for a well insulated house can be up to £10,000.
More than two-thirds of buyers now look past cosmetic improvements to more important factors such as the condition of the boiler and the quality of the windows.
To help improve the energy efficiency of your home, the organisers of the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show have put together some top tips:
Increase insulation levels
Insulating your home is a great way to reduce energy costs. For the average house, 30% of the heat simply escapes through the walls and roof. There is a range of grants available to help with insulation costs. For example, if you live in an older house with cavity walls, a Government grant will allow you to have the cavities insulated for about £200.
Consider alternative energy technologies
Grants are available for solar panels and other micro-generation technologies via the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
Flush with eco-pride
Toilets use about 30% of the total water in a household and single-flush toilets can use up to 13 litres of water in one flush. Put in a dual-flush which uses only six litres for a full flush and four litres for a reduced flush.
Work Your windows
About 20% of the heat lost from an average home is through the windows. Consider double-glazing your windows, or secondary double-glazing if you live in a period property. Double-glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50% and could significantly reduce your heating bill.
Heating hints
Shockingly, more than 50% of the heat from our radiators is simply used to heat the walls behind them, which means that less than half is used to heat our rooms. Energy-saving radiator panels are like tinfoil sheets that reflect the heat back from the walls into your room. They can save as much as 20% on your heating bill. Think about thermostatic radiator valves, which cost about £8 each and let you turn off the heat in little used rooms and turn it up elsewhere.
Buy low-energy appliances
Make sure white goods such as fridges, freezers and washing machines are A-rated (or A++ for fridges and freezers). This means they are very efficient and, with washing machines, use less water than other models. Remember to turn off computers, TVs and video/DVD players rather than leaving them on standby when not in use as this will substantially cut energy use.
Be clever with lighting
Use energy-efficient lighting throughout your home. Good-quality low-energy light bulbs are a great investment as they use a lot less power and last longer. Priced from as little as £2, they last 12 times longer than an ordinary light bulb.
Bin your boiler
If you are thinking of a new boiler, the most efficient type of gas-fired boiler is the condensing boiler, which recycles otherwise wasted energy from the combustion gases. A high-efficiency condensing boiler will reduced your heating-related CO emissions by up to 20%. For maximum energy efficiency, make sure your hot water tank cylinder thermostat is no higher than 60C.
Reduce water consumption
Take a shower instead of a bath – and use three times less water. But remember that power showers use more water than a bath in less than five minutes. Instal a device that reduces your water flow. Switch off that hose and use rainwater instead, collected in water butts.
