Energy Smart

Smarter Ways To Improve Energy Efficiency

Turn off the lights if you leave a room, even for a
short period

Turning your central heating thermostat down by just one degree could cut your heating bill by as much as 10 per cent

Use the economy setting on your washing machine, and
dry outside as often as weather permits

Use low energy light bulbs, can last up to ten times as
long, and uses a fraction of the electricity

Take a shower instead of a bath, it uses a fifth of the hot water needed for a bath

Close your curtains at night to reduce heat loss

Avoid leaving electrical appliances on stand by, and don't leave your mobile phone on charge unnecessarily

Don't overfill your kettle, heat only what is required

Microwaves use up to 90 per cent less electricity than your oven

Cover your hot water cylinder with a jacket that is at least 75mm thick

Insulate your hot water pipes to avoid heat loss

Insulate your loft

Alternative Energy

Solar Power

 

Becoming more popular in the Uk, and can supply up to 70 per cent of a households hot water.

One or two panels are fitted to the roof, which heat the liquid, or in some systems water, that is pumped through them.

Goverment grants are available in the UK for the installation of solar panels.

 

Solar panels also can be used to produce electricity and they are known as photovoltaic cells (PV). Commonly found in household items such as garden lights, calculaters, and more recently phone chargers. They can be used to supply the electricity to your house, and if your lucky enough to produce too much, you can sell it back to your homes supplier.