Not only is adopting energy saving ideas a benefit for the environment but it can save homes lots of money over the long term .
Going green doesn’t need to cost a small fortune either. A few easy changes can reap instant fiscal rewards.
We all benefit from environmentally aware decisions and most of all, our children will benefit from them in future years.
Here are some tips for changing to an energy saving lifestyle .
Insulate your loft
Up to 25% of a home’s heat escapes through its roof. You can insulate your loft relatively cheaply, creating a warmer home and making substantial savings on your energy bills.
Most hardware stores sell loft insulation and is something that you can install yourself over a weekend .
Even better news is that there are also energy saving grants available to help cover some of the costs.
Check with your local authority for details.
Become self sufficient
One of the biggest energy savings a home can make over the long term is to install renewable energy technology to start generating their own energy .
The variety of alternative technology available means there is something for everyone no matter where they live .
Most popular amongst home owners is solar power. A home with a south facing roof will benefit from solar panels that can be used to capture the free energy from the Sun . This energy is then converted into free electrical energy for their home. Solar panels can also be used to warm water as part of a solar water heating system.
Install energy efficient light bulbs
The caliber of energy efficient light bulbs nowadays is very good. The range and availability of energy efficient light bulbs is also better than it has ever been.
DIY, hardware stores and superstores all stock them so there’s no excuse for not converting to these bulbs. Especially as they last longer than normal bulbs and use around five times less electricity.
They may be slightly more expensive than normal bulbs but you recoup your initial outlay within a year .
Switch off electrical appliances
Not only does leaving your appliances on standby sap power resources, it directly drains your cash.
Leaving a PC on standby overnight costs you around £50 per year. Whereas other devices like your TV and DVD player on standby overnight cost £35 plus each year .
Turning off appliances and closing down PC’s and laptops before going to bed is a good energy saving habit to get into.
Devices with digital clocks or displays may need to be turned off at the plug in order to see these energy savings.
Turn down your heating thermostat
Turning down your heating thermostat by just 1 degree can cut your heating bill by up to 10%.
Ideally, homes should set their thermostat between 18 and 21 degrees. Having it set higher than this indicates that the home could need improved insulation to capture escaping heat .
