Energy

The average temperature inside UK homes is rising. It was 13°C in 1970, 16°C in 1990 and 18°C in 2004.

This fact shows our comfort level has changed over the years, we like our homes warmer. Add to this the increase in electronics in our homes, and our energy use is soaring!  What began as a little fridge, cooker and a small tv, has turned into digi boxes, dvd players, stereos, mp3 players, steamers etc… Each year there is at least one must have device for the home, and even per room!

Reducing energy costs is on most peoples minds as the prices increase and the days get colder.  Aside from cost, it is important to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels as they are set to become more scarce in addition to the fact  the prices are volatile because they are generally from more volatile areas of the world.  Finally it is important to reduce the amount of energy we consume as it has such a significant impact on climate change!  Every time we use electricity or gas we are emitting harmful green house gases into the atmosphere.

This is a great little CO2 calculator to give you an idea of how much CO2 you emit in your life!

http://carboncalculator.direct.gov.uk/index.html

Putting in 5 energy-saving light bulbs in place of standard light bulbs will save a tonne of CO2 a year!

Electricity use in your home

It is good to understand CO2, also understanding energy use is important if you are looking at ways to save.  We all know our electricity is sold to us in kWh’s (kilo watt hours), but that tends to end our knowledge. A kWh of electricity costs most people around 10p.  It is a good idea to start thinking of your electrical appliances and activities in regards to how much energy they use, here are some good examples:

• Cooking 1 weeks worth of meals for a family of 4 uses 15kWh of electricity
• Frying bacon & egg for 4 people uses 0.5 kWh
• Cooking 1 tray of chips uses 1kWh
• A cold fill dishwasher uses 2-3 kWh per cycle
• An upright freezer uses 1-2 kWh per day
• A weeks washing for a family of 4 uses 8-9 kWh in an automatic washing machine.
• Tumble drying towels and sheets
• A towel rail uses 1 kWh every 4 hours!
• 16 ½ hours of using a 60w light bulb uses 1kWh, compared to 50 hours of using a low energy light bulb!
• 24 hours of a pond pump running uses 4-6 kWh!!!

It makes sense to check the energy efficiency of any new product you are buying, and to decide just how vital the product is to your life!

Standby, switching off and energy monitors!

We could save 100kg of CO2 every 10 weeks if 20 people that leave their computers on over night here in our offices, switched them off!

The one thing gets mentioned ALL the time is about turning off rather than using standby and yet there are many homes that leave things on standby unnecessarily.  For each device in standby, it will cost you 1 or 2p per night, this doesn’t sound like much but multiply this per device per night it begins to add up!  I always feel for those who have teenagers as there is often a tv, dvd player, games console and stereo in each of their bedrooms, in addition to hair dryers straighteners and ipods!  

If I could recommend just one thing for your home that will help you save electricity, it would be an energy monitor.   My personal favourite based on how simple it is to use http://www.theowl.com/shop/index.php?target=products&product_id=13  

Insulation and draft proofing

Insulation and draft proofing are a great way to keep your home warmer for less.  Drawing your curtains earlier and hanging thicker curtains can also help.  

If you are interested in insulating your house now is the time to do it as the government has heavily subsidised these programmes.

The National Insulation Association provided the following information

* there are a number of grants available and useful information on the Energy Savings Trust website http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Home-insulation-glazing

Also try this energy check for your home

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/proxy/view/full/165/homeenergycheck