Ian Cook Energy Assessments

Around 30% of all carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere comes from the energy we use in our Homes.

The average energy used in our homes can be divided into 61% for space heating, 23% for domestic hot water heating, 3% for cooking, 13% for lighting and appliances.

We lose 10% of heat through our windows, 35% through our walls (uninsulated cavity) 25% through the loft, 15% through floors and 15% through draughts (source - Centre for alternative technology)

Below is a list of Energy saving tips for your Home. You can use these energy saving tips to help reduce the heating and lighting costs of your property.

Alternatively you can call us and arrange for one of our Assessors to come around and undertake an Energy Assessment of your property and advise you on measures you can take to reduce your fuel bills. This is in the form of an Energy Assessment and we can arrange to carryout an inspection anywhere in Shropshire, the West Midlands or Mid Wales. Prices are available on request

Energy Saving Tips.

1) Fit Loft insulation or increase the existing insulation in your loft. (this is a job that should be done carefully, remembering that you should only rest on the ceiling joists and not the plasterboard areas - it also not recommended to be undertaken on a hot day. Always wear protective clothing and a mask. Do not force insulation into eaves or insulate under cold water tanks)

An amusing but informative video about loft insulation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgyseUPxDWc

2) Turn off - not to standby all electrical appliances, mobile phone chargers, DVD + CD players, computers and laptops and TV's.
(there are many devices that automatically do this for you on the market - available from most DIY stores)

3) Switch off Lights when not in use - obvious but true

4) Turn down the Thermostat 1 deg - makes all the difference

5) Alter your central heating programmer if you have one and if you don't get one fitted.
(There's no point heating the building at unnecessary times - especially when you are on holiday in the winter - just leave it on low and if possible get someone to call in the day before you return and turn it back up again!)

6) Draught is often present between the skirting boards and floors -
Two options -
The first is to insulate between floors - obviously this involves lifting carpets and floorboards to lay the insulation.
The second is to seal the gap between the skirting board and floor. This can be done by either sealing the gap using sealant or decorators caulk or alternatively rolling up newspaper and pushing it into the gap, this being the least messy way can be done without pulling the carpet up around the edges f the room. Believe it or not this can save you around £25.00 a year!

7) Insulate your walls. Cavity wall insulation is relatively cheap and Grants are available to some. If the property has cavity walls which are not insulated/ part insulated this can save you up to £300.00 year and the difference is notable immediately.
Solid walls can be insulated but this is more expensive. This is done internally or externally.

Video about cavity wall insulation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgw-BrZboBw

8) Fit draught proofing to doors and windows - fitting secondary Glazing to windows is also an effective way of improving the insulating value of old timber/metal framed windows. remember if you have open flued fires, boilers or solid fuel fires adequate ventilation is required. Also consider fitting an extractor fan to bathrooms and Kitchens to help minimize condensation.

9) Increase insulation to your hot water Cylinder, by fitting a new/another insulating jacket. Lag any hot water central heating pipes which are exposed and accessible.

10) Fit new double glazed windows fitted with Low-E glass. Windows are also rated from A-G fit the best you can afford (A)

11) Fit low energy light bulbs - these are no longer ugly fittings as more demand is made for these bulbs manufacturers are improving the designs. Low Energy light bulbs (specially made) can now be fitted to dimmer switches. Low Energy down-lighters are also now available. Note Low Voltage Lights are Not Low Energy.

Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxPJWRditQY

12) Fit thermostatic radiator valves to radiators, fit a newer central heating/hot water programmer to the system. Having better control over your central heating and hot water obviously saves you money. Fit a room thermostat as well as the pre-mentioned as this ensures that the boiler is not firing up just to heat the water in the pipes between the boiler and the closed radiator valves. The correct controls can save you up to 17% of your heating bills.

13) Fit a Cylinder stat to the Hot Water Cylinder - this ensures a more accurate control over the Hot Water Temperature.
(60deg is hot enough below 50 deg is not only not hot enough but legionaries disease can be present below this temperature)

14) If your central heating boiler is 15 years old or more consider fitting a new condensing boiler - these really do save you money - we are aware of someone who replaced their 65% efficient Gas boiler with a new 90.7% condensing boiler and saves over a third on their heating bills per quarter !