| Concern over energy consumption has grown | | | | bulbs. |
| greatly in recent years. Gas and electricity | | | | |
| prices have been at record highs, hitting | | | | These use up to 80% less electricity used by |
| homeowners in their pockets. Plus there is a | | | | traditional incandescent bulbs, and are now |
| growing realisation amongst the general | | | | indistinguishable in terms of the light they |
| public that our energy consumption is causing | | | | emit. Plus they last up to 10 times longer. |
| global warming, which is leading to growing | | | | So as well as cutting your electricity bills, |
| problems with our climate. In a recent Henley | | | | you don't have to get the ladder out so often |
| Centre survey, over 62% of respondents said | | | | to replace bulbs that have blown. Now that |
| that climate change is the biggest single | | | | these bulbs have come down in price, they can |
| problem facing the world today. | | | | payback their extra cost in a very short time |
| | | | (only a couple of months) in terms of lower |
| We use a great deal of energy in our homes. | | | | electricity bills. |
| Our homes account for over a quarter of | | | | |
| greenhouse gas emissions in northern | | | | 4.Install energy efficient home appliances. |
| countries like the UK. However, reducing your | | | | |
| home's energy consumption is in most cases | | | | Replacing your old fridge with the most |
| quite easy. It can also be very lucrative: | | | | energy efficient models can save you a small |
| some of the major actions you can take to | | | | fortune on your electricity bills. In fact |
| reduce your home's energy consumption pay | | | | with the most energy efficient models, the |
| back very quickly, and so you soon start | | | | savings can actually add up to cover the |
| saving a small fortune. There are 4 or 5 | | | | entire cost of the new fridge! Plus you can |
| simple measures that almost every householder | | | | also buy other energy efficient appliances, |
| should focus on. | | | | such as washing machines and dishwashers. In |
| | | | the EU all appliances carry an energy |
| 1.Insulate your home. | | | | efficiency rating, so it is easy to spot the |
| | | | most efficient. |
| By keeping more of the warmth in your home in | | | | |
| winter, you will save a small fortune on your | | | | 5.Install a solar hot water system. |
| heating bills. The most common types on | | | | |
| insulation to install are in the loft and | | | | This is the most expensive of the measures |
| also in the gap between your external walls | | | | mentioned in this article, but still worth |
| (called 'cavity wall insulation'). You can | | | | doing, even in northern climates. A solar |
| also insulate your floors and walls. Not only | | | | system can provide up to 70% of your hot |
| will this save you money, but your home will | | | | water needs in a year, saving on your gas |
| be more comfortable in winter and cooler in | | | | bills. Using solar panels mounted on the |
| summer. Plus in the UK, because the | | | | roof, solar hot water systems can be |
| government subsidises insulation, the | | | | installed in most houses. This is a tried and |
| investment needed will normally payback in | | | | tested technology, and you may qualify for a |
| under 2 years. Moreover, on average you will | | | | government grant to help with the cost of |
| be preventing 1 to 2.5 tonnes of carbon | | | | installation. |
| dioxide being emitted each year. | | | | |
| | | | By taking these 5 measures, the average |
| 2.Upgrade to a super-efficient condensing | | | | householder can save hundreds of pounds a |
| boiler. | | | | year off their energy bills, and prevent |
| | | | several tonnes of carbon dioxide being |
| Your boiler is the main energy user in the | | | | emitted into the atmosphere. Even taking one |
| house. Modern condensing boilers are far more | | | | or two of these steps has a big impact. |
| efficient than some models made even 5 years | | | | |
| ago. They use far less gas, and can save you | | | | Plus for those who want to make an even |
| up to 40% off your heating bills as a result. | | | | bigger reduction in their home's energy use, |
| They last for around 15 years so the savings | | | | there are also more advanced measures to be |
| really add up over time. Plus by doing this | | | | considered such as solar electricity and |
| you are saving an estimated 1.25 tonnes of | | | | ground source heat pumps. These generally |
| carbon dioxide each year. | | | | cost more, but can allow your home to lower |
| | | | even further its impact on Climate Change. |
| 3.Replace your light bulbs with low energy | | | | |