20 Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
20 ways to make your home more energy efficient
With gas and electricity costs on the rise, act now to make your home more energy efficient and save yourself a few extra euro, advises House and Home.
1. Get an energy-efficient boiler (anything on the planet longer than 15 years will be wasting your money). The most efficient kind is a condensing boiler, a high-efficiency boiler that recovers heat from flu gases. It costs €300 more than a standard boiler but can save you up to a third on your heating bill.
2. Use insulation on your hot water tank.
3. Fit thermostatic valves to radiators. You can then control the heat in each room separately. Also consider fitting tin foil behind any radiators on external walls – this will help reflect heat back into the room.
4. Change your heating system from a traditional heating system (such as solid fuel central heating or a fire) to a modern one (boiler, radiators or underfloor heating). An open fire has an efficiency of only about 15 to 30% - up to 85% of the energy content of the fuel goes up the chimney. An efficient central heating system is up to 90% efficient.
5. Have showers instead of baths, which use twice as much water. Decreasing the thermostat by one degree can save ten per cent of the energy consumed. Another idea is to fit a spray tap. It delivers as little as a cup of water for every half bucket that an ordinary tap delivers, but still allows you to wash in the same way.
6. Use long-lasting light bulbs instead of regular bulbs to cut down on waste disposal. Long-lasting bulbs last up to six years and cost from €5.50 at most DIY stores. A low-energy equivalent uses around 20 watts of energy, but gives out the equivalent of a 100 watt light bulb.
7. Insulate the attic. Without adequate attic insulation you are losing energy (up to 25%) and money through your roof as well. If your attic insulation is currently less than 250mm, you should add further layers. There are a variety of suitable materials including mineral wool, rock wool, sheep’s wool, polystyrene, cellulose fibre and multi-layered foil.
8.When buying a washing machine, dryer, fridge, freezer, dishwasher or oven, look at the energy label. Purchase A or B rated appliances where possible. Goods are labelled A to G, with A being the most energy efficient. If you are interested in buying environmentally savvy white goods, there is an EU energy labelling system - seen as a small flower on the packaging of products – to highlight the levels of emissions by household machinery and the amount of energy used in the making of individual items from manufacturing to usage to disposal.
9. Fluorescent tube lights are more energy efficient than traditional tungsten filament bulbs, particularly the new slim 26mm tubes. Where fluorescent tubes are not suitable consider a compact florescent lamp (CLF), which works as a low energy efficient bulb and lasts up to 15 times longer than an ordinary light bulb.
10. Use kitchen appliances correctly. For example, with washing machines, lower temperature washes save energy. When it comes to cooking, microwave ovens and pressure cookers use less energy than conventional ovens.
11. Defrost fridges regularly; this will save energy and extend the fridges operating life.
12. If your hall door or letterbox allows draughts in, they should be draught-proofed while still being usable.
13. Unplug or turn off electrical equipment such as TVs, videos/DVDs, Hi-Fi and computers when not in use, as they use energy even when they are on ‘standby’. In fact all lights and appliances should be switched off when not in use. This is not only energy saving but safer.
14. If/when you are replacing windows, choose double glazed units, particularly those with Argon fill (a filler used in double glazing windows between the panels to slow down heat loss) and low-emissivity glass (a coating on the glass that reduces heat loss). Both are expensive and will add an extra €300 to each window.
15. Make sure to close curtains in the winter months, this greatly helps to keep the heat in. Always choose lined curtains where possible and don’t let long curtains hang over radiators as they will block some of the heat getting into the room.
16. Improve wall insulation, or replace it completely if your house is very old. The most popular types of insulation systems include: insulated dry lining, blown mineral or cellulose fibre or polystyrene beads in the cavity, and rigid external insulation with render or brick finish. Benefits of wall insulation include a reduction in heat loss, incidences of condensation, damp and associated mould and a saving of up to 30% on fuel bills. Expect to pay between €600 to €800 for wall insulation on an average home. Specialist advice should be sought in all cases.
17. Fill in gaps in floorboards and under skirting boards with newspapers, beading or sealant to keep the heat in.
18.Fix leaking taps (the reason is hopefully obvious).
19.Protect your oil tank and pipes from the cold - order only winter grade oil and make sure your oil tank, valves, external feed lines and oil filter are insulated.
20. If you get through one to 19, then you are ready to start looking at long-term energy saving options such as solar water heating systems. They are not widely used in Ireland as yet, but are certain to increase in popularity over the next few years. For more information contact the Renewable Energy Information Office. Tel: 023 42193.