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Energy efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Improving the energy efficiency of your home doesn't always mean spending money. Even the smallest things we do can add up to a big waste of energy and money! You can make your home a lot more energy efficient for free in some cases!
You can also help the environment by reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases by simply improving your insulation. You lose the most heat through uninsulated walls and by insulating your loft to the current standard of 270mm (10.5 inches) you can save around 25 per cent on your annual heating costs.
Next time you're replacing an electrical item such as a washing machine or microwave, look for the energy rating and try to get an A-rated appliance, they may be a little more expensive initially but they'll save you money by using less energy to run.
External Wall Insulation (EWI)
Insulating your solid walls could cut your heating costs considerably, because solid walls let through twice as much heat as cavity walls do. The good news is they can be insulated – from the inside or the outside. If your home was built before 1920, its external walls are probably solid rather than cavity walls. Cavity walls are made of two layers with a small gap or ‘cavity’ between them. Solid walls have no such gap, so they let more heat through. Solid walls can be insulated – either from the inside or the outside. This will cost more than insulating a standard cavity wall, but the savings on your heating bills will be bigger too. There are a number of comapnies who are offering free or discounted Externall Wall Insulation, including:
For further information or advice, please complete our on-line enquiry form.
Oil Buying Syndicate
Rural Action Derbyshire have recently launched a new Oil Buying Syndicate, bulk-buying scheme for domestic heating oil. The scheme aims to bring communities together to make the most of joint buying power so that greater savings can be made and passed on to customers. Full details on the scheme can be obtained from Rural Action Derbyshire.
Warm Front Scheme
The revised
Warm Front Scheme includes:
- The £300 Rebate Scheme is no longer available
- Benefit Entitlement Checks are no longer available
- CFL's will no longer be provided
- LPG boilers will now be available in rural areas as a new system
The maximum grant will remain the same at £3,500 and £6,000 for properties off the gas mains network. There are no other changes to the measures available through the Scheme.
Low Carbon
When planning a home refurbishment it is worth considering how to improve the energy efficiency of your home so you can benefit from a more comfortable home and lower energy bills. An Introduction to Low Carbon Domestic Refurbishment provides information on how to refurbish your home in a way that improves energy efficiency.
Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust website is full of good ideas for being energy efficient, but we also have an Energy Officer who can give you support & advice to residents whether you are an homeowner, council tenant or private tenant. If you have issues with fuel tariffs, fuel debt, energy efficiency, etc. Or if you would just like advice on how to keep warm this winter, please contact us on 01246 242281 or complete our on-line enquiry form.
Last Updated on Friday, 10 August 2012 09:15
