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Half of our household energy costs go towards just two things – heating and cooling, this means we have lots of room for improvement, and even small changes make dramatic improvements in household fuel efficiency. Need an incentive to change your behaviour and inefficient fuel usage? All forms of energy saving measures can save you money (on your energy bills)! Here are few things you can DO right NOW:
The other big users of energy in your household are your hot water heater, your washer and dryer, and your dishwasher. Each, in its own way, can be inefficient:
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Insulation measures Insulate your home well. There are several
possibilities to reduce the heat loss in buildings. First of all the attic normally has the least heat shield, therefore you should start there with insulation measures. You could save up to 15 litres of fuel per square metre off the attic per year. Outer wall and inner wall insulation may not be possible in old buildings as you have to tear the walls down, but if you are planning a renovation do not forget about insulation. You need professional advice on this to avoid condensation problems.
The right room temperature For working and living rooms an
average temperature of 20 - 21° C should be enough. Every degree less saves about 6% of the heating costs. You can even save more money if you reduce the room temperatures during the night. Still too cold indoors? Wear warmer clothing!
Heat rooms only if you use them If you are away for a longer
period of time you should turn down the heating or even better just put it on the frost protection position if you have this option. Also bedrooms, bathrooms and guest rooms do not necessarily have to be heated all the time.
Airing several times a day - but make it short and thorough
Afterwards close the windows. If you keep on airing all the time with a tilted window and a radiator turned on you will heat the street instead of your room!
Close rollers, shutters and curtains during the night
Draftproof rooms (but not in rooms with oven heating!), put transparent insulation foil on single windows - that is cheap and saves about 6 - 10% of the heating costs.
Minimal use of Electric heating Any kind of electric radiator
should only be used only in case of emergency (e.g. if the normal heating system is not working) and only for a short-term - any form of electric heating is energy intensive. Warm up only small rooms without a radiator (e.g. toilet) by electric heating.
General Upkeep: The central heating should regularly have any
Seal outer places: Make sure windows and doors are sealed properly. This will significantly improve your household fuel efficiency.
Turn down: Either turn the hot water heaters down a couple of degrees, or turn on the “energy conservation” setting if you have it.
Buy insulation for your hot water heater at a local store and insulate the pipes as well. 
Moderate: Install a timer on your water heater to turn off at night and turn on just before you wake up in the morning. 
Conserve: When possible, wash a few dishes by hand. Over time, that will save a few loads in the dishwasher, conserving energy. 
Monitor usage: Don’t pre-rinse dishes. Today’s detergents are powerful enough to do the job. 
Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher. 
Cut down: Wash clothes in warm water, not hot. The clothes will be just as clean, and you’ll cut energy use by 50 percent. |