The North Leigh Guide to Saving Energy in the Home
...Olga...
At the Green Picnic, ‘Olga’ said she had taken the first steps to save energy and asked what she should do next. Here are ideas for all of us to think about.
Begin by recognising that the best energy saving device is the Off Switch so:
Switch off lights every time you leave a room unoccupied
Turn off the heating in unused rooms
Switch televisions, computers, etc off when not in use, don’t leave them on Standby
Only switch on outside lights when required for residents or visitors.
Move on to the finer points of switching off
Don’t leave electric toothbrushes, mobile phones, cameras or other batteries on charge
longer than necessary
Switch off cookers, bread-making machines and other appliances with integral clocks at the wall switch – their timers consume a few Watts throughout the year
Switch off motion detector lights during the day – otherwise their sensors are on all year
Reduce hot water thermostat settings to the 55 degrees C which is said to be necessary to avoid bacterial contamination of hot water tanks
Energy is wasted if you have to add lots of cold water to the hot every time
Install low energy light bulbs
There are now versions available for most applications
They light up quickly and are available in various soft and hard white tones
In the kitchen and laundry
Only fill kettles with the quantity of water you really need for tea, coffee etc
But ensure the elements of electric kettles are covered
Don’t run the hot tap a long time to get small amount of hot water, use the kettle
Use an appropriate size hob for every pan
Only use washing machines and dishwashers for full loads
Using economy wash cycles where appropriate
But note that dishwasher “Quickwash” cycles may use more energy than longer cycles
Install a clothes line and dry washing outdoors whenever possible
Have a baby in nappies? Use the modern, shaped, washable ones
Minimise use of energy for refrigeration by
Minimising opening of refrigerator and freezer doors
Keeping refrigerators at least three quarters full
Always allowing hot food to cool before putting it in the refrigerator
Defrosting frozen food in the refrigerator, never ever in the microwave
Returning items to refrigerator as soon as possible after use
Defrosting freezers regularly
Reduce heating energy needs in winter by
Wearing warmer clothes before turning up the heating
Drawing curtains and blinds early in the evening to minimise heat loss
Closing doors to minimise heat rising from living rooms to bedrooms
Using the minimum thermostat settings for your health and comfort
18 to 21 degrees C is suggested for living areas
If you have a porch or lobby with inner and outer doors, minimise the time they are open at the same time – especially when it’s blowing a gale – as it can do in North Leigh!
And then consider investing in
Loft and wall insulation
A replacement condensing boiler
‘A’ or ‘A*’ replacement white goods
Double glazing – even if you live in a listed building it may be possible to install low cost, effective double glazing – ring Geoff Feasey on 01993 883494 to discuss how
Solar water heating
Photo-voltaic or wind powered generation.
Contact SSE’s Rob Pritchard on 07747 559330 if you need advice on these
Motion sensor outside lights to replace ordinary switched lights
Nearly all the above ideas save both energy and your money. They just require resolve, a little foresight and a few moments of your time. Individual savings may be small but every little helps and over a year the savings should be significant. An our actions help to motivate others to do their bit!
If you think of something we’ve missed, please tell us! New ideas are always welcome.
Loading ...