10 SIMPLE WAYS TO COMBAT RECORD ENERGY PRICES
With sky rocketing energy bills families will struggle to keep their homes warm during the up-coming heating season. The Heating Helpline offers 10 simple ways to get these worryingly high bills down.
26 August 2011 – Household energy bills have doubled in six years and the latest round of massive increases will add around £200 extra to pay on “dual fuel” household bills. These increases could not have come at a worse time for most households with family budgets already under huge strain. The Heating Helpline, which is operated by the HVCA, the officially recognised organisation representing central heating engineers, offers ten simple steps that homeowners and tenants can take to combat these recent inflation-busting price rises:
1. The hot water cylinder thermostat in the home should be set at 60°C or 140°F. Any higher is a waste of energy and could lead to scalding, but any lower and there may be a risk of legionella.
2. Insulate the cylinder to avoid wasting energy. Fitting a jacket to the boiler that is at least 75mm thick could save more than £50 each year.
3. Most people’s thermostats are set considerably higher than they need to be to keep the home comfortably warm. Set room thermostats to no more than 21°C (70°F). Each degree centigrade below this temperature can save as much as 5% on your heating energy.
4. Consider fitting one of the new generation of programmable thermostats that let you choose the time you want your heating on and its temperature for all seven days of the week – it means saving energy by not heating your home unnecessarily.
5. Unoccupied rooms don’t need to be heated but a little heat will prevent condensation. Thermostatic radiator valves let you control the temperature in each room. TRVs cost around £8.00 each.
6. Badly fitted doors and windows mean avoidable heat loss. Draught proofing doors, windows and attic entrances by sealing gaps will help save energy. Similarly a curtain at the front door and heavy, well-fitted curtains at the windows provide insulation and reduce draughts.
7. Heat rises and a great deal of heat can be lost through the roof, so upgraded insulation in the roof space can have a major impact on heat loss through the ceiling, typically paying back within two years. Ensure your insulation is at 27cm as this could save you up to £150 a year.
8. Switch off standby. Gadgets and appliances left on ‘standby’ waste the equivalent CO2 of 1.4 million long haul flights. Turn off at home and save up to £100 a year on your bills.
9. Washing machines use huge amounts of energy. Some machines have low energy programmes – if you reduce the wash temperature from 40 to 30 degrees it can save 40% more energy.
10. Take care filling the kettle. If we only boiled the water needed we’d save enough power to light every streetlamp in the country.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the HVCA, comments: “As winter approaches homeowners need to ensure that their heating system is safe as well as energy efficient, and the Heating Helpline offers free, expert advice and guidance on energy-efficient home heating as well as the need for regular heating maintenance.”
Further information on how to reduce energy bills and save energy is available via the Heating Helpline on 0800 840 4069 or at the website http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the HVCA by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert
Tel: 44(0)1256 472020
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010
E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Established in 1904, the HVCA is the premier organisation representing central heating contractors across the UK, and exists to promote fair dealing and the sound installation of heating systems. HVCA members all undergo third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability every three years. This process is carried out by an independent certification body with an established industry reputation. HVCA members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople. HVCA operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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