Being energy efficient is an ideal way to reduce your energy bill and do your bit for the environment by saving carbon and using less energy. This can be done in small ways, such as putting in energy saving light-bulbs and turning appliances off stand-by, to bigger measures such as loft insulation and more efficient boilers, and ultimately to generating your own energy.
Energy suppliers fully support the Government's commitment to incentivise the energy industry to move away from selling energy to embracing an energy services model. It makes sense for the industry, the Government and for energy-conscious households.
Energy suppliers work closely with government and stakeholders in an effort to offer consumers opportunities to be more energy efficient, through better insulated homes, learning about and conserving energy, innovative energy production methods and so on. The ERA and its members remain committed to energy efficiency targets and are open to discussions and ideas on taking the targets even further.
Energy suppliers have an obligation to deliver energy efficient measures to households via the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT). Since CERT began in April 2008 over 2 million lofts and cavity walls have been insulated by energy suppliers. More information about CERT can be found on the Ofgem website.
Energy suppliers and generators now have an additional obligation, the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), to target households in given geographical areas across Britain to improve energy efficiency standards and permanently reduce fuel bills.
It is estimated that suppliers and generators will invest £350 million in this scheme. More information on CESP can be found on the Ofgem website.
Tips for Making Your House Energy Efficient
1. |
Around 33% of the heat lost in your home is through the walls, so insulating them can be the most cost-effective way to save energy in the home. Installing cavity wall insulation can save you up to £120 per year on your heating bills. |
2. |
Lagging your loft with 10 inches of insulation can save you around 23% of your home's energy use. An adequate amount of insulation (250mm) can also save you around a quarter of heating costs and up to £170 every year. |
3. |
Replace boilers over 15 years old with a new energy efficient models. High efficiency condensing boilers are the most energy efficient and can cut up to a third off your annual heating bills. |
4. |
Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent and save you around £30 per year. |
5. |
Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set any higher than 60ºC/140ºF. |
6. |
Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows. |
7. |
Always turn off the lights when you leave a room. |
8. |
Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily. |
9. |
If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programmes. |
10. |
Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle). |
11. |
A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off. |
12. |
Replace your light bulbs with energy saving recommended ones. Just one can reduce your lighting costs by up to £78 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs. |
Useful Links
Department for Energy and Climate Change
Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes
Energy Saving Trust
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