Energy saving

Energy efficiency

How energy efficient is your home?

Energy saving and energy efficiency are both important not only in winter but throughout the year. As well as helping the environment, efficient energy consumption could make you substantial savings on your annual household energy bills.

Insulation

Tank insulation

Fitting an insulation blanket around your water tank can save approximately £10 - £20 and 150kg of carbon dioxide per year. The insulation jackets can be found in any DIY store and are easy to fit.

If you already have an insulation jacket fitted to your hot water cylinder, check that it's at least 75mm (3") thick.

Loft insulation

As much as a third of heating costs could be escaping from the roof of your home, loft insulation is a very effective way of reducing your heating bills.

Insulating your loft to the depth of 270mm is recommended. You can do this yourself, a local DIY store will provide more information and be able to assist you with the materials you require.

Floor insulation

Gaps around floors and doors account for approximately 11 per cent of heat loss in an un-insulated home so make sure you invest in floor insulation.

Filling the gaps between floorboards and skirting boards can be achieved by using a regular tube sealant such as silicon. This could save up to £10 per year in heating bills.

Another way of reducing draughty floors is to insulate underneath the floorboards on the ground floor, this not only makes your home feel warmer but can also save around £30 - £40 per year.

Caution: do not block under-floor airbricks, without adequate ventilation this can rot floorboards

Cavity wall insulation

Un-insulated cavity walls can lose up to 33 per cent of heat through walls, cavity wall insulation is quick, clean and is relevantly cheap and could save around £100 - £120 per year.

Cavity wall insulation creates an even temperature around the home, helps prevent condensation and also reduces the amount of heat build up during the summer months.

Draught proofing

Almost 20 per cent of all heat loss is through ventilation and draughts. Draught proofing is an easy, cost effective way to reduce your heating bills.

Remember to check the quality of the products you purchase (these materials are available from most DIY stores). They should conform to the standard BS 7386

Visit The Draught Proofing Association at the following website for more details http://dubois.vital.co.uk/database/ceed/wall.html

Energy efficient heating system

The current lifespan of a boiler is 10 - 15 years, so by choosing an energy efficient heating system such as a high efficiency condensing boiler with heating controls can make an immense difference, saving around £180 per year.

For more information with regards to high efficiency condensing boilers and heating controls please visit www.est.org.uk

Thermostat

Turning down your thermostat by just 1 degree could save you up to £30 and around 300kg of carbon dioxide per year.

Saving Water

Showers

Have a shower instead of a bath could help save two thirds of water and save energy.

Energy saving light bulbs

In the majority of homes, lighting accounts for around 10-15 per cent of an electricity bill.

Energy saving light bulbs are recommended to be used around the home, they work by means of electricity currents passing through gas in the tube, making the tube's coating glow brightly. Traditional light bulbs waste a lot of their energy by turning it into heat.

Energy saving light bulbs, on average, last up to 12 times longer than traditional light bulbs.

Double Glazing

Investing in double glazing around your home is definitely something to consider. By trapping air between two panes of glass it creates an insulating barrier that reduces heat loss, noise and condensation.

If you cannot afford to invest in double glazing, fitting secondary glazing will help. It's less expensive than replacement double-glazing and will still save money by cutting heat loss and draughts.

Home owner Insurance

Home owner insurance is needed for peace of mind.

Cover Direct can instantly search through their panel of reliable, well known home insurance underwriters which include household names such as Norwich Union and Royal & Sun Alliance to find you a cheap home insurance quote.

You can also speak to one of our home insurance advisors and we will be happy to answer any questions you have about our home insurance cover.

Home Insurance Quote

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Cover Directs energy saving checklist:

• Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat should not be set higher than 60°/140°
• Try closing your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows
• Always turn the lights OFF when you leave a room
• Do not leave appliances on stand by, remember when not in use turn the appliance off
• If you are not filling up the washing machine, remember to use the ‘half load’ or the ‘economy’ programme
• Only boil as much water as you need. Caution: if you are using an electric kettle, make sure the water is at least covering the elements
• A dripping hot tap wastes energy. FACT: a dripping hot tap wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath in just one week, so make sure all leaking taps are fixed and all taps are fully turned off
• Replace all light bulbs with recommended energy saving light bulbs.