Low cost ways to be more energy efficient and cut your energy bills

Curtains

• At night, pull the curtains to stop heat being lost through the windows Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
  Savings: around £15 per year
• Take care not to drape curtains over radiators as this will funnel heat straight out of the windows

Heating

• If you are too warm, turn the thermostat down by 1degree C: this can cut up you 10% off your fuel bills If you are away for a few days then leave the thermostat on a low setting to provide protection from freezing without costing too much.
  Saving: around £15-£30 per year.
• You can also save on running costs by heating your home for an hour less each day
• Never cover the air flow vents on electric heaters

Water

• Remember not to set the thermostat too high on your water heater; 60°C/140°F is usually adequate for bathing and washing
• Use a shower if you have one and you'll save time, money and water
• Remember to put the plug in your basin or sink - leaving hot water taps running is both wasteful and expensive
• If you have a dripping tap ensure it is repaired quickly. In just one week, you could waste enough hot water to fill a bath

Lights

• Remember to turn off lights when you leave a room for long periods. If you use a light for an average of four hours or more a day, fit an energy-saving light bulb. It will use around a quarter of the electricity, and will last eight times longer than an ordinary bulb. Cost: around £5-£12
  Saving: around £10 per year

Television and stereo

• Switch off your TV, video and stereo at the set. Standby can use as much as 10%-60% of the electricity that would be used by the device if it was switched on.

Fridges and Freezers

• Defrost fridges and freezers regularly to keep them running efficiently
• Don't put hot or warm food straight into the fridge - let it cool down first
• Where possible, position your fridge or freezer away from cookers or heaters

Washing machines

• Where possible wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine
• Alternatively, use the half-load or economy programme if your machine has one

Dishwashers

• If you have a dishwasher use the low-temperature programme unless you have very dirty dishes

Cooking

Here are some ways to save energy when you cook:

• Use the right size pan for the food and cooker hob
• Keep saucepan lids on - this enables you to turn down the heat
• Don't use more water than you need
• Use a kettle to boil water for cooking
• Use a toaster rather than the grill to make toast
• Avoid over-filling the kettle for just one drink but be sure to cover the element

Low cost tips

Low energy light bulbs

• Use low energy light bulbs wherever you can as they use less than a quarter of the electricity used by ordinary light bulbs and can last up to 15 times longer!

Hot water cylinder jacket

• Putting a lagging jacket around your hot water tank and insulating hot water pipes can pay for itself in a few months and go on saving you money for years to come
• Always choose a British Standard jacket. An insulating jacket for your hot water tank costs only a few pounds, and will pay for itself within months. Fit one that is at least 3" thick and make sure a British Standard jacket is used. Costs: around £10
  Saving: around £20 per year

Draft Proofing

• Put draught strips around windows and outside doors and fit a flap across the letter-box.    Stop draughts and heat escaping by filling gaps under skirting boards, with newspaper, beading or mastic sealant.
  Cost: around £10.
  Saving: around £10 per year

Windows

Make sure your windows are insulated and draught proofed. A low-cost, short term alternative to double glazing is to tape polythene across window frames. You can use ordinary cling film or you can buy special products from D.I.Y. stores.
Costs: around £10
Saving: around £25 per year

There are alot of little tips above that will really help keep your home warmer and save you money and energy.
This website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018661
has all the details under the Warm Front Scheme as to what grants are available to help with your heating and insulation. The Warm Front Scheme installs insulation and heating measures to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. You can only apply for a grant from the Warm Front Scheme if you live in England. Should you qualify, you will be eligible for heating and insulation measures up to the value of £3,500, or £6,000 where oil central heating and other alternative technologies are recommended.

New common sense code to build greener homes

Grant Shapps outlines local approach to delivering zero carbon homes from 2016

Published	27 July 2010

Councils and developers could be given much more flexibility to meet ambitious eco-standards to ensure all new homes are zero carbon from 2016, Housing Minister Grant Shapps said today.
It comes as part of the Coalition Government's ambition for an eco-friendly economy and to become the greenest government ever.
The Minister has said he will look at ways builders could make payments to fund community energy projects, such as wind farms and district heating schemes, to meet their obligations to reduce carbon emissions from new homes - this could give developers and councils more freedom and flexibility to decide how to meet their zero-carbon obligations.
Minimum standards for energy efficiency measures such as cavity wall insulation will also be set through future revisions to building regulations. These will be based on those revisions outlined in a recent consultation on the Code for Sustainable Homes, which set key benchmarks for the sustainability of new homes.
Mr Shapps also confirmed the allocation of £600,000 to the Zero Carbon Hub to continue its work this year. The Hub has also been tasked with testing new benchmarks for carbon emission reductions.
Grant Shapps said:

"This is about meeting tough environmental standards, but not dictating how every home should be built. Councils and developers together are in the best position to decide how best to meet these standards, so we are looking at giving them the flexibility and a range of options to do this.
"We are committed to all new homes being zero-carbon from 2016, and have the right mix of measures in place.
"First and foremost a zero carbon home must use as little energy as possible, which is why I will shortly announce a minimum standard for key energy efficiency measures like loft and cavity wall insulation.
"And to ensure the benchmark for carbon emission reductions is both ambitious and achievable, I look forward to seeing the results of tests the Zero Carbon Hub will conduct over the next few months."

The full Written Ministerial Statement 'Zero Carbon-Homes' is available here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100727/wmstext/100727m0001.htm#10072727000016 (external link

Thought I would put this up here so that everyone can see what the UK are up to with zero carbon homes, I do like how Grant states he is going to "annouce a minimum standard for KEY energy efficiency measures like loft and cavity wall insulation"

In light of just how cold it is getting it may be worthwhile for everyone to be thinking of updating their loft and cavity wall insulation - there are countless grants available at the moment and you will really feel the benefit. The energy saving trust has a helpline if you need advice on what grants may be available to you -0800 512 012.

Grant Shapps: New common sense code to build greener homes

Published	11 November 2010

Housing Minister Grant Shapps today published an improved green rating for new homes that will help deliver the next generation of green properties, which are built to the highest standards of sustainable design, and could reduce future utility bills by up to £2,250 a year in the most energy efficient homes.
The Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced in April 2007 as a standard to improve the overall sustainability of new homes. The Code scores against a star rating system, using one to six stars depending on how the property performs against categories such as energy use, waste, materials and water.
Mr Shapps said the Code has been updated to take into account the tougher new rules for energy efficiency in buildings, and help developers make new homes greener without getting bogged down in unnecessary 'gold plated' design features.
The Code, which has been updated after an extensive consultation with housebuilders and industry experts, will also make it easier for consumers and homeowners who want to grade the standard of their properties.
Grant Shapps said:

"Over a quarter of the country's carbon emissions come from our homes, and if we're serious about tackling climate change we need to reduce this. So I welcome these changes to the Code that bring it in line with the tough new rules for energy efficiency in the Building Regulations.
"We need greener homes, but I also want to make it easier to build the homes this country needs. Good building standards can only be effective if they are easy to understand, and only applied where they are appropriate. That's why the Code has been updated to iron out problems that have arisen over time, and streamlined so building standards can be used in a sensible way that suits the local situation.
"It's important house builders meet the standards local communities demand, but I'm determined to simplify the complicated processes they have to go through to achieve this. That's why I've pledged to tackle the 'alphabet soup' of standards and red tape that blight efforts to start new developments, and I will be working with industry to get this done."

The Code is rated from one to six, one being the entry level - above the level of the standard, mandatory Building Regulations - and six as highest, reflecting outstanding sustainable development.

In the first three years, nearly 8,000 homes have been completed to Code level standards. Ministers believe this figure is too low, partly because the current Code is too complicated and bureaucratic. The updated version will be a first step towards making it is easier for developers to deliver more green homes. The new Code's green rating system has been improved by:

• Aligning the Code with the latest developments in building regulations - it will now take into account, and in some cases go beyond, the tougher new Building Regulations to reduce carbon emissions from buildings. For example, a Code level 4 home will now be 25 per cent above this minimum standard. The new Code will also strongly incentivise the introduction of 'fabric energy efficiency standards', so developers can use building materials and techniques that improve the energy efficiency of new homes.
• Streamlining the Code and associated processes - to ensure that the Code is focused on the issues of greatest significance, instead of including unnecessary standards that duplicate existing regulations or create difficulties for developers. For example, there is now an exemption from the 'lifetime homes' standards for sites where it is too steep to apply, and the mandatory requirement for site waste management plans has been removed since it is required by other regulations.
• Resolving problems that have arisen in use of the Code - for example, clarifying parts of the Code that set standards for reducing the risk of flooding. Clear surface water management standards have now been set, enabling developers to understand exactly what is required.

The new Code will have key role in helping people cut their carbon emissions and lead more sustainable lifestyles. The standards reflect the future goals for zero carbon homes and include measures for reducing energy consumption, minimising and recycling waste, reducing potable water demand, reducing the risk and impact of flooding, reducing carbon intensive travel by providing cycle storage as well as promoting facilities for working at home. It encourages a reduction in energy through the choice of building materials as well as the energy used during the construction.

This is fantastic news, its amazing to see that over 25% of our emmissions are coming from homes and that these new greener homes could save up to £2250 on energy bills which is brilliant and definately an incentive for people to go green and become more energy efficient.

If

The most favourite toy is the one that all the children want - even if my 3 year old hasn't played with a toy for weeks the minute he sees his little brother playing with it he wants to play with it as well.

The same affect could work on EPCs - if 10% of buyers/renters started to look at EPCs and then negotiated on price due to the EPC or bought/rented a property with a good "grade" then the EPC would become a marketing asset.

If a good result on the EPC was a saleable part of a property then prices would be adjusted with the more energy efficient properties priced higher than those that are not so energy efficient.

If a property was worth more if it was energy efficient then more people would make alterations to their properties so that they were energy efficient - more insulation, better boiler, TRVs on the radiators, solar panels etc.

It could be a very benefical knock on effect.

There are alot of ifs involved with the thoughts above but if it happened it would be a fantastic result for the environment, energy efficiency, saving money and the global community as a whole.

Comparisons

Its easy as a parent to get dragged into the whole my child is doing this earlier than your child routine, it doesn't do anyone any favours and sometimes can leave you feeling very negative about your own parenting skills.

Having just been to my eldests parents evening (shes doing very well, am proud) I was thinking on the way home about comparing countries.......... over the past few days I have looked at what other countries are doing, putting into practice, the websites (I still love Swedens website) and their promises and it has made me think of what its like when you compare children - nobody benefits and you can end up feeling negative when in fact there are things you should be proud of.

Every child develops at a different rate just as every country changes and implements new laws at different rates. The important thing is to praise what is good - if you complain/nag all the time it won't get anywhere.

So I am very proud of the EPC that the UK has in place, there are things that I would change but on the whole we are getting there. I am proud of what all the other countries are doing and it is impressive and encouraging to see what changes are occuring.

But I would still like to see some more changes - greater promotion of the EPC, better website, no interest loans available, available grants promoted more (this would also help stop the current winter scam) and more working together with other countries to see what we can all learn from each other - there is never any point in teaching your grandmother to suck eggs as the saying goes but we can all work together to improve our own countries.

Its never too early

I have a fairly busy life, no busier than any other working mothers life but with 3 kids and work and then all the other little bits that come into it - housework, taking care of the dogs, washing, school/playschool run, organising childcare etc it can get pretty hectic. Thats why I am devoted to my diary - everything that needs to be done gets put down and ticked off once its done (allows me to feel smug when I've done everything).

Today I have managed to get all the christmas presents either ordered online or bought. I have my list of who is getting what and its a nice feeling especially as I hate the shops in December. But is it too soon?

I don't think it is, it pays to be organised nowadays and it will free up time that I would have spent battling my way through other panicing shoppers in December, queuing up for the till, getting rammed by pushchairs and stretching my arms dragging bags and annoyed kids round the shops.

There are other things that can never be done too early - teaching your children about how to save energy, just little simple things like turning off the tv completely instead of leaving it on standby, switching off the lights when you leave a room and insulating your house to a good standard - the people who got the grants and got cavity wall/loft insulation in spring and summer 2010 will now be starting to feel the benefit they won't get such large bills over the next quarter and will be able to save energy and money.

So in the spirit of starting early - I wish everyone a very merry christmas and a happy new year :),

Rewards for buyers and Sellers for energy efficient properties!

The government is looking at how stamp duty could be used to reward buyers and sellers for making a property more energy efficient – particularly if it falls in the lower F or G bands on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). That covers 20% of the British housing stock – just under 5.5 million homes.

The proposal would add 0.5% extra levy on normal stamp duty rates for those homes. So that’s clearly the tax side. But if the property was improved to at least an E rating on an EPC, the homeowner would receive a refund of the 0.5% – plus a rebate of another 0.5%. That money would be paid through savings in your energy bill. So that’s the incentive! Energy efficiency is one of the cheapest and easiest ways of cutting carbon. But the government has to help homeowners see all the benefits. Stamp duty reform is one of the best tools it can use.

The Government has extended the Green Deal to the rental sector - tweaking flagship scheme so landlords cannot refuse "reasonable requests" for energy efficiency improvements, but commercial properties still in limbo at present. The government has confirmed it is to extend the Green Deal to cover rented properties, although it is still unsure if commercial properties will be included in its plan to upgrade the energy efficiency of Britain's buildings.

Under the scheme, home improvements are paid for by energy companies or other commercial firms which then recoup the cost through charges on energy bills. Repayments are set at a level lower than the savings achieved through the energy efficiency improvements, ensuring that households and businesses taking part in the scheme end up better off.

Today, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) said that from 2015, landlords will be unable to refuse any "reasonable requests" by tenants for energy efficiency measures such as loft or cavity wall insulation to be installed.

Under new powers, councils may also be able to insist that landlords improve the worst-performing homes.

 I am hopeful that given the above we might finally be seeing the value of a professional Domestic Energy Assessor who produces accurate and efficent EPCs going up!

Government Plans for more energy efficent UK - The Green Deal.

"England's home owners will be able to fit their properties with energy-saving insulation at no upfront cost from the end of 2012 onwards, the government said on Tuesday.

Under a proposed plan called the "Green Deal", government-accredited insulation installers will make improvements such as loft or cavity wall insulation to homes and businesses for a fee, which homeowners or renters will pay in instalments.

The cost of each instalment will be deducted from energy bills and will be limited to the savings that the homeowner makes from the new insulation.
"At a time of increasing gas prices, energy efficiency is a no-brainer," Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Huhne said in a statement released on Tuesday.
"It's also a massive economic and job opportunity, which could help Britain's economy turn the corner."

The Green Deal will be rolled out in three steps, starting with a property energy efficiency assessment. Insulation installers will then equip the properties with the necessary improvements, while occupiers will repay the installation costs through instalments in their energy bills.
Fifteen percent of homes on the list of properties to be retrofitted with energy-efficient measures are inhabited by people in the lowest income band, the government said.
The bill will also suggest that local authorities can force home owners to make improvements to least efficient buildings."

So thats the Green Deal - what does it mean for DEAs???

If as it says the Green Deal is to be rolled out in three steps starting with a property energy efficency assessment does that mean work for the already accredited and trained Domestic energy assessors? After all it would seem fairly silly NOT to use DEAs for this step.

It is good news in the fact that the UK will be more energy efficent and that the bill is suggesting that local authorities can force home owners to make improvements, but that would have to be done very carefully. This also brings up the fact that what is being done about the MOD housing? that is not very energy efficent at all - is the Government going to get those houses made more energy efficent?

Insulation Scams - Please be aware

"Age UK and the Office of Fair Trading have highlighted three areas that scammers are focusing on at the moment. These are as follows:
Cavity wall insulation
In this instance, someone will knock at your door claiming to be part of an energy-saving scheme offering discounted rates. However, in reality you’ll be charged high prices for poor quality work – if the work is done at all."

I have just been reading about current scams that criminals are apparently focusing on at the moment and the cavity wall scam caught my eye.

There are GENUINE grants available for cavity wall and loft insulation - please double check the identification of anyone who comes to your door and be careful about what you sign up for. Check with the office of fair trading and see if the firm have had any complaints and ask for references from the company.

I whole heartedly agree with getting cavity and loft insulation and if the grants are available to you then why not take advantage of the grants and get the work done to a high standard and save yourself some money on heating bills (not to mention keeping the house warmer and improving EPC rating).