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