"I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that."
Thomas Edison 1931
Thomas Edison 1931
Energy Saving Advice
- Look at microgeneration technologies. These include small scale renewable sources such as photovoltaic solar systems, as well as wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, ground source heat pumps and Micro Combined Heat and Power (MicroCHP) installations. Grants are available for most technologies, and saving energy means saving money.
- Check out all available grants, especially for extra loft insulation and cavity wall insulation; you'll be amazed at the difference in heat loss.
- Good old double glazing: if you haven't got it, get it.
- Buy an energy monitor to show your electricity usage, cost and CO2 levels to make you more aware of your energy consumption.
- Adapt your environment: does your heating really need to be on full? Turn the thermostat down by just 2 or 3 degrees, you will hardly notice the difference.
- Only have the heating on when necessary: if you are at work all day and no-one is in the house, turn the heating off, or least turn it down.
- Switch off the lights as you exit the room.
- Next time a bulb blows, change it for an energy saving bulb. It will take a bit of getting used to, but the money and energy you'll save is worth it, not to mention how long they last.
- If you replace an old boiler with a new one you can save up to £200 per annum.
- Close your curtains when the sun goes down and make sure they're not hanging over the top of the radiator.
- Always use a full dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer. Whenever possible limit your use of the tumble dryer.
- Shower instead of having a bath: a shower uses 40% less water.
- Fill your kettle with only the necessary amount of water needed for coffee and tea.
- A large plasma or LCD TV generates a lot of heat: turn the radiator right down in that room whilst the TV is on.
- Don't keep the TV, stereo, etc, on standby - this very simple tip really adds up.
- Try to remember that energy has to go somewhere, and wasted energy is usually in the form of heat loss. Use this to your advantage: a working kitchen will generate its own heat simply through appliance heat loss, so turn the radiators down and use the heat loss to warm your kitchen.
- If you need a new fridge or freezer, make sure you get an energy efficient one. This appliance is on 24 hours a day, so big savings can be made here.
