subject: How To Save Energy At Home? [print this page] We are all very aware that saving energy is great for the environment as well as saving us some much needed pennies in these tricky economic times. But how do we save energy?
There are many ways you can save energy at home and thanks to the government huge ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets there is plenty of help and incentives.
The government launched a boiler scrappage scheme which was effectively offering a discount (around 400) off a new energy efficient boiler. There were curtain requirements like the age of your boiler. Unfortunately due to popular demand this came to an end at the end of March. It got a lot of plumbers back in work and the gas companies have enjoyed the profits from this scheme, due to this there are still gas companies offering the same discounts. So one way to save energy would be to get a new boiler installed and getting these discounts while they are still available.
Another government scheme which is still ongoing but is only available in England is the Warm Front Grant which could be up to 3,500 or up to 6,000 if your home needs oil central heating. This scheme helps you with heating and installation improvements for your home whether you live in privately rented home or privately owned. This could include loft installation, draught proofing, cavity wall installation, hot water tank installation. You could be entitled to this grant if you get any of the following benefits: working tax credit, child tax credit, attendance allowance, disability living allowance, income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, war disablement pension and Industrial injuries disablement. You will get an appointed engineer to come out complete a technical survey of the work.
One way to save energy from the appliances in your home is to turn them off when not using them. It may sound simple but if you were to do this over a full year the savings would be quite substantial. Leaving hall lights on is a complete waste of energy so this makes perfect sense. You could also try using candles in the evening rather than your living room lamps. Using candles creates a nice atmospheric feel to your home and if you use scented candles you can stop using aerosols to keep your home smelling nice and fresh.
Energy saving light bulbs are all the rave and they are getting better and better. Some of them take some time to warm up as it were but once they are fine.
Another serious energy saver is to only fill your kettle for as much as you need. If your making one cup then fill the kettle up for one cup. You can now buy certain kettles which only heat the water as you are pouring it.
Getting double glazing for your home is another good one. You will be amazed at how warming your home is when you have good quality double glazing, and it will last for years and years.
If you follow some or all of the above tips over time you will be saving energy which means saving the environment and also saving you money.
