Saving Energy

10 free ways to save – Explains some of the first things to do to save energy.

Draught proofing – Shows the ways in which draughts can be excluded – and the risk of going too far.

Insulation methods – Presents the most cost-effective types of insulation.

Heating controls – Explains how to ensure that the boiler runs only when heat is needed.

Devices on standby – Discusses how leaving electronic devices powered up when not in use wastes energy.

Standby energy consumption – Presents real measurements of specific devices in standby mode.

Monitoring Energy Usage

Total electricity usage – Describes several inexpensive devices that can display the current overall electrical consumption of a house. This helps to detect wasteful use of electricity, and for many people is a real eye-opener.

Single-device electricity usage – Describes single-socket monitors that measure the consumption of individual devices. But despite being useful, most of the monitors available are not sensitive enough to measure the energy used in standby.

Recording energy usage – Total consumption of electricity, gas, oil and water can be recorded at regular intervals without special equipment. However, it's useful to analyse such data on a computer, or to use various services available via the internet – some of these services are described.

Energy-Related Topics

Energy myths – Some common assumptions about saving energy are myths, while others are largely true. We try to separate truth from myth.

Green tariffs – What are green tariffs and are they worthwhile?

Grants – Shows how to find out what is available in Blewbury and nearby. Grants are available from a number of sources for loft and cavity wall insulation, and for replacing old boilers ('scrappage'). Grants for installing various forms of microgeneration are being phased out in favour of a Feed-In Tariff for electricity and a Renewable Heat Incentive for hot water and heating.

Reducing the supply voltage – It is possible to save energy consumption of some devices by reducing the voltage within a house. But for many appliances that doesn't help, and the device reducing the energy must not consume too much energy itself.