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