Saving Energy at Home An Introduction to the advice on Effective Energy Saving and Local Energy Generation suitable for individual homes Updated 20 June, 2006
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Efforts to Tackle the Problem

We should try to stop using fossil fuels and emitting additional quantities of greenhouse gases as soon as possible. As this is difficult to arrange, a practical target has been chosen internationally to aim to reduce carbon emissions to 40% of their level in 1995 by 2050. Some of this reduction can be achieved by using energy more efficiently. About 29% of the energy in the UK is used in domestic homes, where considerable savings can be made.

As a more complete solution, a large number of different sources of energy are being explored.

Free or Very Low Cost Household Energy Savings

The following changes cost nothing or very little, and can generate significant savings.

Lighting

Electric lighting is the largest consumer of electricity in many households. Switch off lights not being used.
Where lights are used for significant periods fit Low Energy Bulbs. Replacing a 100 watt bulb which is used for 4 hours a day by a 20 watt low energy bulb would save about 115 units a year. At 8 pence a unit this would be worth £9.20. Low energy light bulbs last much longer than filament light bulbs so although they are more expensive to buy, the cost of purchase over their lifetime should be similar, and there is the advantage of not having to replace them.

The National Energy Foundation web site provides a good overview on this subject. Suppliers for these bulbs include:
Commercial Lamps, the Greenshop and Your Welcome.

Heating

Reduce the central heating temperature setting by 1 or 2 degrees. Small changes make very considerable energy savings.
Switch heating off or turn the thermostat down when no one is at home.
Do not heat rooms that are not being used.
Close Curtains at dusk.
Stop Drafts - blocking drafts under the skirting boards with paper or mastic could save £10 a year.

Appliances

Choose low energy appliances when replacing appliances. Look out for the energy saving recommended logo when buying new electrical appliances.
Freezers and refrigerators are typically the most energy intensive appliance in a home. The difference in energy consumption between fridge freezer models could be worth £35 a year.
Energy costs of freezers and refrigerators can also be reduced by waiting for hot food to cool before placing it in the freezer, by checking freezer seals regularly, and by keeping the freezer defrosted.

Get a Free Energy Check

One is offered by the Energy Saving Trust.

Energy Saving Home Improvements

Increase Roof Insulation. About a third of heat loss can go through the ceiling. Where possible, increasing the thickness of insulation to 270 mm or 10 inches is recommended. Even if you have some roof insulation, increasing it can give the most rapid return on your investment.
Add a Jacket to the hot water cylinder, at least 75 mm or 3 inches is recommended. This could save £10 a year.
Fit Cavity Wall Insulation.
Obtain a Condensing Boiler, if your current boiler is over 10 years old, this should reduce fuel usage by perhaps 35%.
Add automatic controls on heating
Fit Double Glazing or Secondary Glazing - this halves heat loss through windows, however as an energy saving action it is expensive and not as cost effective as the other suggestions.

These are discussed in the section on reducing energy use.

Green Generation

The main options that might be considered for gaining energy with less use of fossil fuels are:
  -   Burning Wood from a suitable a renewable resource,
  -   Wind Turbines,
  -   Capture of more energy from the Sun through building design,
  -   Solar Thermal Panels to heat water,
  -   Solar Photovoltaic Cell Panels to generate electricity,
  -   Combined Heat and Power to gain electricity from the central heating boiler, and
  -   Heat Pumps to extract heat from the ground.

These are discussed in the section on Domestic Renewable Options.

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