Save Energy on Heating

Save money on heating and hot water costs

How we heat our homes is a major contributor to global warming. Often we overheat our homes and walk round in T-shirts in the middle of winter and then wonder why we are so prone to colds! The ideal temperature is between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius (65 to 70 Fahrenheit). Simply turning the heating down a bit and wearing more clothing is a simple and easy way to save a lot of money and it doesn’t encourage germs and viruses. But there are many other things we can do to reduce gas, electricity or oil costs in our homes.

Loft insulation for energy saving

Insulation has long been recognised as a critical issue in domestic energy conservation. Many homes are still energy inefficient and lose heat from windows, roofs and walls. This is just throwing money away!
One of the most effective ways save on heating bills is to make sure you have proper loft insulation because warm air rises. Check your attic to see if the insulation covers the ceiling joists. Generally the thicker your loft insulation the better and between 7 to 11 inches is about right. There are a number of alternatives with loft insulation but be careful if you are self-installing as some of them can be irritant to the skin and lungs. In the UK government grants for loft insulation are available in some areas so check this out first.

Wall insulation for energy saving

Check outside your house to find any cracks where cold air is getting in and warm air is escaping. Look around window and doorframes especially; look for small cracks or holes in the walls. Seal them up with flexible filler, and then do the same inside. Do you have cavity walls? Check to see if they are insulated. If you have single block walls consider getting a layer of insulation on the inside, as there are many energy efficient wallboards on the market that will save your heat and money.

Checking windows for energy saving

Much energy can disappear through windows even when they are closed. Poorly fitting panes and casements, missing putty, breaks in the glass and old fitments all contribute. When there’s a strong and cold wind blowing onto your windows, check them out for drafts just by moving your hand slowly around. See if there are any gaps you can seal with new glass, putty, caulk or sticky-back foam tape. There are even slow-expanding foams available to fill gaps just like this.
New double-glazed windows may seem like a big investment but sometimes they will actually provide a saving over a few years. Because double-glazing has two panes of glass in parallel, with an insulating pocket between, it more than triples energy efficiency. There are salesmen out there just dying to find you a bargain and there are many ‘free’ offers associated with a window upgrade, just make sure you read the small print!

Thermostat control for energy saving

As I mentioned, just turning the heat down a bit and wearing an extra layer or two can reap swift savings also, it’s healthier. But you can also keep a check on your interior air temperature and a sure hand on the thermostat and timers. When does your heating go on in the morning and off at night? Even a small reduction in the amount of time the heating is on brings money savings and helps the planet. Nearly all thermostats have a manual override, which allows you to change the temperature without resetting the whole thing.
Simply by turning down the thermostat a little when you are away from home you can save between 10-15% of your heating bill every year. Adding a setback thermostat to your system will allow you to programme the heating to suit your lifestyle, low when you are out and higher when you are in.

Zone heating for energy saving

Are you heating rooms or areas you don’t really use? Check radiators and heat sources around the house to see where you can lower the temperature a little. Concentrate the heat in the places that you inhabit most frequently. Check that your ‘on the spot’ heating is working efficiently as an old electric heater can cost you dear.

Air con. and ceiling fans for energy saving

Although too much heat is an infrequent problem in the UK, many countries over-use air conditioning to reduce the temperature of the air. Often the use of an overhead fan is more efficient and economical in energy terms than air con. Ceiling fans run comparatively cheaply, about the same as a 100 watt light bulb, and by cycling the air they create a chill-factor effect that can seem around eight degrees cooler.
During the cold months a ceiling fan can move warm air back to the middle of a room by pushing it down from the ceiling. Run the blades in a clockwise direction to do this.

Variable fuel sources for energy saving

There are many ways to heat our homes and having a system that changes according to which energy source is the cheapest also saves money. We all do this with our credit cards so why not with our power supply? The prices of coal, oil, gas and electricity all fluctuate so shop around to see whose supplying the cheapest energy and change suppliers. If you have heating devices that can work with various energy sources this is a clear advantage. If you have multi-functional devices such as an oil / solid fuel / biomass range in the kitchen then this is a most efficient way to use energy as you can cook on them too.
Consider using stand-alone stoves to provide heating for a room, this will allow you to source materials that often end up in landfill sites (biomass), such as scrap wood to heat your home. Even better install a stove with a back boiler to heat water for radiators and / or domestic hot water.

Heater servicing for energy saving

When did you last service your domestic heating unit? Both for safety and energy efficiency you should have your unit inspected by an accredited expert every year. Even cleaning the ducts and filters in your unit will immediately improve its efficiency. For efficient heating the air needs to circulate and the heat needs to reflect off walls to places where it is needed. For radiators on cold external walls an energy saving can be gained by fitting a heat reflector to the wall. Check around the house too to see if household objects have encroached upon radiators or heating grilles.

Draught proofing doors for energy saving

Check too around the bottom of doors to see if you are getting draughts that steal your heat. Simple draft excluders that attach to the bottom of doors can be bought extremely cheaply and fixed easily for a huge gain in ‘keeping the heat in’. While you are in the store get a couple of door springs that automatically close doors behind forgetful children (and adults). The heat of a room exits into a colder space in moments through an open door. If the wind whistles in through gaps around the door, buy and fix some sticky-back foam tape to the architrave to seal the warmth into a room.
If your room uses gas heating then airflow is essential. Ask your servicing agent how to get the right level of airflow without creating draughts in the room.

Hot water use for energy saving

Water heating costs an average of 14% of your annual domestic heating bill and there are several ways to reduce this. Number one of course is insulation. Check out your hot water tank now to see how much heat is leaking into the air. Water heater insulation blankets are not expensive and are easy to install. Insulate the pipes too for additional saving; this can be done cheaply and easily with expanded foam tubes, which also minimise condensation problems with the pipes. Also essential is the installation of a timer on your water heater if you don’t already have one. These are easily programmed to supply hot water at times of peak demand and minimise wasted energy.
Many people prefer a shower to a bath these days and this presents a substantial saving in hot water requirements. If you enjoy a bath, leave the water in until its cold and the heat will percolate through your home instead of down the drain.