For homeowners wanting to find new ways to cut spending, boost savings and do their bit for the environment at the same time, then there are a number of solutions worth considering that will help achieve all three goals. Of course, a little up front investment is required but the longer-term financial and environmental benefits will be worth every penny.
Itâs estimated that as many as three quarters of all homes lose energy due to insufficient insulation. A lot of heat is lost in a home through the roof, so itâs worth considering installing loft insulation which should just about pay for itself in the first year with the amount of energy that is saved and, thereafter, itâs really just money for nothing.
Similarly, many homes have old boilers installed which are not only less effective in heating a house but they tend to waste a lot of energy too. One solution is to arrange for an A-rated, energy efficient boiler to be installed which can create substantial savings. Alternatively, for those who already have a relatively new boiler thatâs still working well, then itâs just a case of ensuring itâs well maintained and kept in tip-top condition.
Another great idea is to fit a special jacket to the hot water tank which will help keep water hotter for longer and can reduce heat loss by over three quarters. The minimum recommended thickness of a hot water tank jacket is 75mm and they can be bought for a little over ten pounds, so it would pay for itself in a matter of months with the amount of energy that is saved.
Perhaps the easiest of all energy saving tips to manage is making sure all electrical devices are switched off when not in use. As televisions have gotten bigger in recent years, this also means more energy is needed to keep them running â itâs estimated that a sixty inch flat panel television costs £140 on average each year to run, whereas the old style Cathod Ray Tube (CRT) televisions cost substantially less, simply because there was inherent limitations in how big their screens could be.
Itâs estimated that by the year 2020, televisions left on standby will account for over 1% of all domestic energy consumption, so it really is wise to switch a TV off at the mains if not in use.
Furthermore, with well over sixty million mobile phones in use across the UK, a substantial amount of energy is wasted by people charging their phones and leaving the charger in the mains, even when the charge is complete.
This coupled with computers on standby, lights left on in empty rooms and doors left open when the heating is on, makes itâs easy to see how much energy could be saved by following a few simple steps. By having a sensible approach to home power consumption, the smallest of changes can have a massive impact if everyone does their bit.
Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
Enjoyed this article?
More information on Go Green Tips!
