ENERGY
EFFICIENCY AT HOME
The price of coal goes up
on Monday; the average coal user, burning two bags of
coal a week, will now pay between £20 and £60 a year
more to heat their homes.
The General Consumer Council has criticised the increase which
will affect one
household in 5 in the province, and says many older consumers,
particularly those in
rural areas, will be worst hit. But whether you use coal, gas,
oil or electricity, we all
need to save money and energy.
On Your Behalf spoke to the
Energy Efficiency Advice Centre about the advice
available and how you may get help with the cost.
Belfast Energy Efficiency
Advice Centre offers Northern Ireland domestic energy offers
consumers a free and independent, accessible, proficient and high
quality source of
energy efficiency advice and support.
It offers
•
a Free Home Energy Check – a short survey that identifies
energy measures for the home
• a drop in advice centre
• Energy Efficiency Advice Helpline 0800 512 012
NO COST MEASURES FROM BELFAST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVICE CENTRE
• Turn off the television when not in use. Do not leave
it on standby as it is still using ¼ of the electricity
COOKING
• A kettle is better than a saucepan for small of hot water
•
Only fill the kettle with water you need – but sure to cover
the element
• Always put lids on saucepans
• Use just enough water to cover food
• Pressure cookers are more efficient
• Microwave ovens less than conventional ovens
• A smaller oven is better than a large oven, for smaller meals
• Use a toaster rather than a grill.
HOME LAUNDRY
• Wash a full load or select a half load or economy settings for
smaller loads
• Spin clothes before tumble drying
• Use the most appropriate setting on the tumble dryer
LIGHTING
• Turn off lights not needed
• If possible, use lower wattage bulbs
• Keep bulbs and shades clean
REFRIGERATION
• Put
the fridge/freezer in the coolest possible position
• Open the door for the shortest possible period
• Let cooked food cool before putting into fridge/freezer
• Try to keep the freezer full. Fill up spaces with newspapers
• Defrost regularly
HEATING
• Do
not overheat your home 1 degree C too hot will add 10% to your
fuel usage
• Do not over-ventilate, keep windows and external doors closed
• Draw curtains in the evening
• Reduce temperatures in rooms not in use, but not too low as this
can lead to condensation and mould growth
WATER HEATING
• Showers use less hot water than baths
• Use a kettle for small amounts of hot water
• Do no wash your hands under a running tap, use a plug and fill
the sink
• Turn off taps properly and fix any drips
LOW COST MEASURES FROM BELFAST ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVICE CENTRE
LIGHTING
• Dimmer switches reduce consumption and help create the lighting
effect you want
• Fluorescent lights use less electricity than ordinary bulbs
• Energy saving light bulbs use 80% less than ordinary bulbs and
last 10 times longer
• Outside lights can be arranged to come on automatically
REFRIGERATION
• Use
a thermometer to set temperatures accurately
• fridge 5 degrees C freezer 18 degrees C
HEATING
• draught proof around doors and windows, letterboxes and keyholes
• DIY simple glazing can provide a temporary alternative to double
glazing
• Fit a 80mm hot water cylinder jacket
• Lag all hot water pipes
• Radiator panels can be easily fixed to the wall behind radiators
and they prevent heat loss by reflecting the heat out into the
room
• You can insulate your loft yourself. Insulation can be purchased
from any of the large DIY stores and can easily laid on the floor
of your loft along the joists. 8 inches is the recommended thickness
Information supplied by the Belfast Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
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