Energy Performace for Buildings
epcseo asked:
It is in each individual’s interest to look at our own properties and assess their ENERGY PERFORMANCE to see if we ourselves are doing everything we possibly can to cut down on wasted energy from our homes and surroundings.
The climate in Scotland is significantly colder than that experienced in other parts of the UK, thus energy use in identical properties is higher in Scotland.
Energy used in homes is responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions, and 80 per cent of this is for heating. Turning down your thermostat, good insulation and more efficient boilers can help - and there is also support available to make your home more energy efficient.
You can get help to make your home more energy efficient, via the Home Energy Saving Programme, making it more attractive than ever to do something. You can make savings on your annual fuel bills and help the environment at the same time.
Every household in the UK is eligible for at least 50 per cent off loft and cavity wall insulation. A range of energy saving devices like low energy light bulbs, home energy monitors and energy saver plugs are also available. Taking up these measures could help you save hundreds of pounds every year on your energy bills, and you can access them through energy suppliers.
Pensioners or people from low income households may also be eligible for free improvements to their homes, like insulation, along with other support.
It’s time to take action with your heating:
- by turning down the thermostats for both heating and hot water
- adjusting the radiator valves
- setting the electronic timer for a shorter period of time and only having it on when you need it
This cuts out on a surprising amount of wasted energy with clever use of your central heating controls. You could be saving around 10% on your annual heating bills by turning the thermostat down by just 1%. You will probably not even notice the difference, but the environment will. Lets work together at reducing our carbon footprint.
Choose an energy efficient boiler
More than 80 per cent of home energy use is for heating and hot water - so getting a more energy efficient boiler can make a big difference. Look out for the Energy Saving Recommended label when you’re choosing a new boiler. This label can only be used on the most energy efficient products, usually the top 20 per cent of those available.
· Find an energy efficient boiler
· Insulate your walls and loft (is your loft insulation 270 millimetres thick?)
More than half the heat lost in a typical home escapes by the walls or the roof. Installing loft and cavity wall insulation will not only reduce the heat escaping, but could also cut your fuel bills by up to £180 every year.
Cavity wall insulation
Installing cavity wall insulation can take just a couple of hours for a typical three-bedroom house, and can be done from the outside. Your building needs to have cavity walls. You can insulate solid walls too, but this is a bigger and more costly job to do.
Loft insulation
Loft insulation is easy to install –anyone is capable of doing it. Even if you already have loft insulation, check how thick it is. Adding another layer to bring it up to the recommended 270 millimetres will save both energy and money being wasted. You will notice the difference as a large percentage of our heat is lost this way.
Other ways to keep the heat in
Walls and roofs are the biggest heat loss culprits, but you don’t have to stop there:
* installing double glazing can half heat lost through windows
* insulate your hot-water tank
* lag your pipes
* put draught-proofing strips round windows and doors - if you can feel cold air coming in, it means warm air is going out the same way, this is such an easy procedure for such a big gain
* if your home has a cellar space, under-floor insulation can help keep the warmth in.
Think about renewable energy sources for your heating
Renewable energy can sometimes be an option for both heating and powering homes. The commonest renewable energy technologies are solar, wind, water (hydro) and biomass, which involves burning plant products or animal waste. Using renewable energy can make a significant contribution to reducing climate change effects.
* Generating your own green (renewable) energy
SUMMARY
If each and everyone responded to the above measures and took action in the ENERGY PERFORMANCE of our homes and surroundings we could all make a difference in reducing our carbon footprint and thus helping protect our environment.
Energy used in the home is responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions. Reducing the amount of energy you use for heating is one of the biggest things you can do to help reduce climate change.
Edwin
It is in each individual’s interest to look at our own properties and assess their ENERGY PERFORMANCE to see if we ourselves are doing everything we possibly can to cut down on wasted energy from our homes and surroundings.
The climate in Scotland is significantly colder than that experienced in other parts of the UK, thus energy use in identical properties is higher in Scotland.
Energy used in homes is responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions, and 80 per cent of this is for heating. Turning down your thermostat, good insulation and more efficient boilers can help - and there is also support available to make your home more energy efficient.
You can get help to make your home more energy efficient, via the Home Energy Saving Programme, making it more attractive than ever to do something. You can make savings on your annual fuel bills and help the environment at the same time.
Every household in the UK is eligible for at least 50 per cent off loft and cavity wall insulation. A range of energy saving devices like low energy light bulbs, home energy monitors and energy saver plugs are also available. Taking up these measures could help you save hundreds of pounds every year on your energy bills, and you can access them through energy suppliers.
Pensioners or people from low income households may also be eligible for free improvements to their homes, like insulation, along with other support.
It’s time to take action with your heating:
- by turning down the thermostats for both heating and hot water
- adjusting the radiator valves
- setting the electronic timer for a shorter period of time and only having it on when you need it
This cuts out on a surprising amount of wasted energy with clever use of your central heating controls. You could be saving around 10% on your annual heating bills by turning the thermostat down by just 1%. You will probably not even notice the difference, but the environment will. Lets work together at reducing our carbon footprint.
Choose an energy efficient boiler
More than 80 per cent of home energy use is for heating and hot water - so getting a more energy efficient boiler can make a big difference. Look out for the Energy Saving Recommended label when you’re choosing a new boiler. This label can only be used on the most energy efficient products, usually the top 20 per cent of those available.
· Find an energy efficient boiler
· Insulate your walls and loft (is your loft insulation 270 millimetres thick?)
More than half the heat lost in a typical home escapes by the walls or the roof. Installing loft and cavity wall insulation will not only reduce the heat escaping, but could also cut your fuel bills by up to £180 every year.
Cavity wall insulation
Installing cavity wall insulation can take just a couple of hours for a typical three-bedroom house, and can be done from the outside. Your building needs to have cavity walls. You can insulate solid walls too, but this is a bigger and more costly job to do.
Loft insulation
Loft insulation is easy to install –anyone is capable of doing it. Even if you already have loft insulation, check how thick it is. Adding another layer to bring it up to the recommended 270 millimetres will save both energy and money being wasted. You will notice the difference as a large percentage of our heat is lost this way.
Other ways to keep the heat in
Walls and roofs are the biggest heat loss culprits, but you don’t have to stop there:
* installing double glazing can half heat lost through windows
* insulate your hot-water tank
* lag your pipes
* put draught-proofing strips round windows and doors - if you can feel cold air coming in, it means warm air is going out the same way, this is such an easy procedure for such a big gain
* if your home has a cellar space, under-floor insulation can help keep the warmth in.
Think about renewable energy sources for your heating
Renewable energy can sometimes be an option for both heating and powering homes. The commonest renewable energy technologies are solar, wind, water (hydro) and biomass, which involves burning plant products or animal waste. Using renewable energy can make a significant contribution to reducing climate change effects.
* Generating your own green (renewable) energy
SUMMARY
If each and everyone responded to the above measures and took action in the ENERGY PERFORMANCE of our homes and surroundings we could all make a difference in reducing our carbon footprint and thus helping protect our environment.
Energy used in the home is responsible for more than a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions. Reducing the amount of energy you use for heating is one of the biggest things you can do to help reduce climate change.
Edwin
