Reducing Energy
and
Water Consumption
at
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Energy and Water in the Home Overview
The average UK home wastes nearly half the energy used for heating and hot water. This energy could be saved by good housekeeping and investment in energy saving measures.
Britain has some of the worst insulated homes in Europe. Only 1 in 5 have cavity wall insulation
Over 75% have less insulation than recommended for new homes (150mm) or no insulation at all
The amount of energy we consume at home has leaped by a quarter in the last 25 years and it is likely to triple in the next ten years.
Some key facts
The domestic sector uses 30% of all UK energy use.
The average UK home generates the equivalent of 6.5 tonnes of CO2for annual energy use.
Low energy lamps could make a significant difference to our homes. If every home in the UK fitted one low energy lamp to replace a tungsten lamp the nation would save £66 million in energy costs and 360,000 tonnes of CO2each year.
Televisions left on standby consume 24% of the energy they use when switched on.
Even though 1 in 10 householders believe that switching to green products will actually increase their energy bills the converse is true.
We each use around 145 litres of water per day which is 70% more than 30 years ago.
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Energy consumptions and costs
The energy consumption varies from home to home but a typical breakdown of consumption is: Water heating 25% Space heating 57% Lighting and appliances 13% Cooking 5%
So clearly space heating and hot water take the most energy. For many people in the UK this is supplied by gas but some use electricity, oil or coal. However, gas is a primary form of energy and is cheaper than electricity which is a secondary form in that it needs to be generated. Typically gas is around 3p/kWh and electricity 12p/kWh. So if the above pie is redrawn as a cost pie chart:
Space heating 40% Hot Water 17% Lighting and appliances 36% Cooking 7% Typical home kWh/annum Gas 24,561 Elec 4,000 Total 28,561 Typical Home £/annum Gas £737 Elec £480 Total £1217 Total CO2= 6387 kg/annum
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Nine Things You Can Do at Home (in cost order) Typical cost (one off payment)
£ Typical annual saving £ Typical annual CO2saving kg Only use the heat, lights and
appliances you need 0 40 500
Lag your hot water tank 10* 15 190
Lag your hot water pipes 10* 10 125
Use energy-saving lights bulbs** 15 15 85
Add to your heating system thermostat
thermostatic radiator valves timer/programmer 15* 75* 45* 20 20 25 150 250 320 Fit draught-proofing to windows
and doors 60* 20 250
Loft insulation should be 6 inches thick*** DIY Contractor 160* 300 70 70 880 880 If you have cavity walls, seek
advice on cavity wall insulation*** 500 70 880
To comply with Building Regulations all new domestic boilers are high efficiency condensing boilers. They cost more than those previously available but result in significant cost and CO2savings. *DIY costs shown for these items
** Annual savings figures to an average of four hours use per day, and include savings on the cost of replacement bulbs
*** Installing these items will lead to the most significant cuts in your fuel bills and in CO2emissions
Carbon Footprint
The use of fossil fuels and the related combustion emissions are tied up with every aspect of our lives. We use energy directly in our work and our home-life. Indirectly, energy is used on our behalf in transporting the food we eat, the clothes we buy and the services we use every day.
The methods for determining carbon footprinting are beginning to develop. A
new carbon calculator is available on trial from DEFRA at
http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html
Here is a simplified outline based on energy consumption and travel.
Energy in the home:
The average emissions of carbon dioxide across the UK power industry produce a long-term marginal value of 0.43kg per unit of electricity (or kWh) consumed by end-users1. Your electricity bill will show your consumption since the last bill. Some on-line electricity accounts can show your electricity consumption over the last 12 or 18 months.
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The typical UK domestic household2 uses 3,300 kWh/yr of electricity. At 0.43kg CO2 per kWh of electricity consumption, this average household is
responsible for annual carbon dioxide emissions of 1.42 tonnes. Use your electricity bills to work out your annual consumption and CO2emissions.
The typical household with gas-fired heating consumes 20,500 kWh/yr of natural gas. At 0.206kg CO2 per kWh of gas consumption, this average
household is responsible for annual carbon dioxide emissions of 4.22 tonnes. As for electricity, use your bills to work out your CO2emissions from gas. Transport:
The carbon dioxide emissions test ratings for new cars are listed at
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/ Select the precise model of car, the
type of fuel and find the emissions rating expressed in g/km. Convert to g/mile by multiplying by 1.609.
e.g. Peugeot 106 1.1 petrol 145 g/km
Vauxhall Astra 1.7 diesel 130 g/km
Ford Mondeo 2.0 diesel 164 g/km
Honda Accord 2.0 petrol 207 g/km
Landrover Discovery 2.5 diesel 262 g/km
For an annual mileage of 12,000 miles (equivalent to 19,308km), a Peugeot
106 1.1 petrol would produce approximately 2.8 tonnes of CO2. The
Landrover Discovery would emit 5.06 tonnes over the same distance. These figures can only offer an approximation to real life. Much depends on the type of driving (town or country), the driving style; and the condition of the car. The cars which contribute the least emissions (less than 120g/km) are listed separately at http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/information/how-to-use-the-data-tables.asp#
Flights:
Various airlines are now offering carbon offsetting. The carbon dioxide emissions associated with your particular flight are calculated; a payment to offset this environmental damage is determined; and you are invited to make this additional payment when you buy your ticket. The additional payment is used to invest in a renewable energy or waste reduction project somewhere in the world where the resulting benefit will match the CO2 which is emitted by
your flight. The offset payment is related to the calculated quantity of CO2
based on distance. For example, a return flight from Luton to Edinburgh is expected to result in 70kg x 2 = 140kg CO2 (see airline websites – e.g.
Easyjet and British Airways). The rate per kg CO2 is not set and carbon
offsetting charges vary between airlines for similar flights.
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For households without electric heating; for houses with electric heating (<10% of the total), the average increases to 4,700kWh/yr or 2.02 te/yr of CO2
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100 Ways to Save Energy at Home Fridges and Freezers
Place fridges and freezers away from cookers and heaters and direct sunlight. Never leave doors or lids open longer than necessary.
Don’t let children open doors or lids unnecessarily.
Allow cooked food to cool before putting it away.
Make sure the door seals fit tightly. If you don’t have a frost-free fridge, don’t allow more than 6mm (1/4”) of ice to build-up.
Try to keep your freezer at least three quarters full at all times. Switch off the fast freeze control as soon as food is frozen.
Never allow more than 6mm (1/4”) of ice to build-up in your freezer. Load and unload your refrigerator or freezer as quickly as possible. When filling your refrigerator ensure air can circulate freely.
Use a refrigerator thermometer to check the temperature is correct. New refrigerators, freezers and fridge-freezers sold by electrical retailers carry standard labels showing both an estimate of annual electricity consumption and an Energy Efficiency rating between A and G.
Dust the back of your fridge/freezer regularly as a build up of dust reduces the efficiency because the heat cannot be easily dissipated from the
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Cooking
Vegetables cook quicker in a microwave
oven and retain their colour and nutritional content. Cover saucepans with lids whenever possible. Match saucepans to the size of ring - never use a large ring with a small saucepan.
If you have dual rings, use the inner ring only when possible.
If recipes allow, cut food into smaller pieces so they cook quicker. Use segmented pans to cook several vegetables at one.
Whenever possible, cook smaller items under the grill instead of the oven. Once vegetables are boiling, turn them down to a simmer.
When boiling vegetables, use just enough water to cover them and use a lid.
Switch your oven off as soon as possible - some dishes will continue to cook in residual heat.
Many modern ovens, particularly those with fans, need little or no pre-heating.
Halogen hobs are efficient, controllable and easy to clean. Pressure cookers speed up cooking times.
Electric toasters are quicker and more energy efficient than grills for toast. Electric deep fat fryers are more economical than chip pans.
Slow cookers are more efficient for many dishes.
Try to use all available space in an oven and freeze additional dishes. Microwaves are quick and easy to use, very economical and energy efficient.
For your own safety, always ensure that food is thoroughly cooked, however try to improve your cooking efficiency.
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Dishwashing
Always wash a full load.
Buy a model size to meet your needs. Always wash at the lowest temperature advised by manufacturers.
Rinse hand washed dishes in cold water rather than hot.
Home Laundry
Always try to wash with a full load.
If your machine has a half load programme, use it when you haven’t got a full load. Use the lowest recommended washing temperature.
Fabric conditioner reduces creases which means less ironing.
Dry clothes outside in warm weather.
Spin dry hand washed clothes before tumble drying. Use the shortest setting needed on your tumble dryer.
Home Heating
Modern heating systems should have thermostats controlling space and water heating.
Whenever possible, programmers or time switches should be used particularly for areas used infrequently.
If you have a gas, oil or solid fuel system consider fitting thermostatic valves to control radiators.
Turning room thermostats down by just 1ºC could cut up to 10% off the space heating element of your gas bill.
Never cover heaters with curtains as this reduces their efficiency and wastes heat.
To ensure better efficiency, it’s usually best not to site storage heaters under windows.
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It is better to turn heating down than to open windows to reduce room temperatures.
Reflective panels or silver foil attached to the wall behind water-filled radiators on outside walls can help reduce consumption.
Boilers operate more efficiently when they are serviced regularly.
Water Heating
Don’t waste water by overfilling a bath.
Take a shower instead of a bath - a bath can use up to five times as much hot water as a shower.
Modern electric showers offer instant hot water and save on heating a tank of water.
Whenever possible, put the plug in rather than washing under a running hot tap.
If possible, use a washing up bowl in the kitchen sink so you use less hot water.
Make sure your hot water tank is properly lagged. A lagging jacket 100mm thick (4”) is ideal.
If you have an old thin lagging jacket, fit a new jacket over it.
Wrap all exposed pipes in insulation material - hot and cold - then you’ll avoid losing heat and the pipes will be less likely to freeze in cold weather. If you have sinks a long way from your hot water cylinder, a ‘point-of-use’ water heater will only use small amounts of water.
Don’t set your immersion heater thermostat too high - 60ºC is ideal.
If your central heating system also heats your hot water tank, lag the pipes between the boiler and the tank.
Make sure your taps are fully turned off when not in use.
If your central heating boiler also heats your hot water, you could fit a cylinder thermostat.
Replace washers on dripping taps - in just one day you might be wasting enough water to fill a bath.
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Insulation
Insulate your loft with 150mm (6”) fibreglass or similar insulation.
If your loft has awkward corners or
obstructions, loose-fill insulation might be easier to use as you just pour, or pack it in between joists.
Lag cold water pipes in the loft but don’t lag under the cold water tank or block
ventilation paths under eaves.
Don’t forget to seal around the trap door into the roof space and insulate above it.
Spray insulation foam around pipework, drains etc., where they come through walls and ceilings to stop draughts.
If your walls are suitable, cavity wall insulation will substantially reduce heat losses.
Large windows are a major cause of heat loss and whilst double glazing can be expensive to install, it is probably worthwhile if you are replacing the window frames.
Simple internal double glazing can be cost effective. A letterbox flap can reduce draughts.
Unused chimneys, fires and fireplaces need to be sealed to prevent heat loss, but a ventilation grill or flue is necessary to avoid condensation. Thick carpets with ample underlay help save heat loss from solid concrete floors.
Seal gaps between floorboards and skirting boards with mastic.
Irritating and expensive draughts from around doors and windows can be reduced with draught stripping.
Ensure that curtains are fully lined to reduce heat loss.
Draw curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping and to reduce draughts. Keep windows and doors closed to keep warmth in.
Use rolled up blankets or sausage shaped cushions to keep out draughts under doors and on window sills.
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Lighting
Do not use higher wattage bulbs than necessary. A fluorescent fitting in the kitchen gives brighter
lighting, longer lamp life and reduced running costs. Low energy light bulbs offer long life and high efficiency
- they provide the same light at a quarter of the running cost and last up to 16 times longer.
Only switch on lights when required and switch them off when you leave the room.
Dimmer switches can save electricity but are not usually suitable for use with low energy light bulbs. Dimming versions are available but are more expensive.
Clean lamp shades regularly to ensure maximum light output. A light coloured décor can improve lighting levels.
For safety’s sake, always ensure there is adequate lighting in halls and on stairs.
It is always cheaper to switch off a fluorescent strip light when you don’t need it on. Don’t believe myths offering contrary advice.
Other Appliances
Most modern appliances are more energy efficiency, so buying a new appliance should achieve energy savings.
Always ask about energy efficiency when considering buying an appliance. Don’t leave TVs on standby as this consumes up to a quarter of the electricity used when they are fully on.
Switch off TV when you leave the room.
For TVs and computers Thin Film Technology or thin screens use considerably less energy than old cathode ray screens. But plasma screens use more.
Only boil the amount of water you need, making sure you cover the kettle element. Overfilling kettles in the UK wastes enough energy to power 50% of the nation’s street lights.
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Energy Efficient Appliances
Electrical appliances vary considerably, from model to model, in their energy efficiency. What is more, you can make considerable savings if you use them sensibly. Take washing machines - you rarely need the hottest wash cycle; 40ºC will do for most fabrics. This will cost you a quarter of the cost of the hottest cycle - 8p instead of 32p. Lighting too, is an area of potential savings. It is not just a matter of turning off lights when you don’t need them (though this is very sensible); the actual lamps themselves are a significant factor. You probably have little idea how much it costs you each year to run your electrical appliances, Here, then, are the costs. the first column gives you average costs for appliances currently in use in the nations homes, whilst the second column relates to the best models available in the shops at the moment.
When buying appliances it is worth comparing the energy consumption of different models. When buying white appliance you will find a label attached to it indicating how much energy it uses and an energy efficiency rating. The European Commission some years ago issued a directive making it mandatory for manufacturers to label the energy efficiency of their products. This makes it easier for consumers to make more informed decisions when purchases are made.
Appliance Electricity use (kWh per year) % of household electricity demand Cost per year Efficiency savings of model rated A+ Annual Cost Savings Annual CO2 savings Lighting 715 21 £86 75% £64 230 kg Fridge-freezer 650 19 £78 60% £35 189 kg Dishwasher 410 12 £49 40% £13 70 kg Washing machine 270 8 £32 30% £5 27 kg
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Buy Cheaper Gas and Electricity
In the UK it has been possible to shop around for cheaper gas and electricity in the home since 1998.
About 150,000 people change electricity and gas suppliers each week, saving up to £140 on their annual energy bills, according to Ofgem, the industry regulator.
The Ofgem chief executive, says: “For those who pay quarterly by cheque and have never switched electricity supplier, there are, on average, six other energy companies offering cheaper tariffs. For customers who have never switched gas supplier, there are 10 firms offering cheaper deals”.
Despite these offers many of the nation’s 26 million householders till retain their original supplier. So how do you find the cheapest deals?
Energywatch (www.energywatch.org.uk) has compiled a list of websites that will compare tariffs for you. Make sure you know how much you pay by direct debit or how much gas and electricity you use on average.
Get this information from your bills, then enter it into the online calculator, including your postcode, and you will find a table of the cheapest suppliers and estimated savings.
Some electricity suppliers provide green electricity, i.e. generated from a renewable source, e.g. from wind power. Seewww.energyhelpline.com.
If you don’t have internet access, you can ring Energywatch on 0845 906
0708 or Energy Helpline, another free service, on 0800 074 0745.
You generally get a better deal if you pay by direct debit. If you manage your energy account entirely online, it also tends to cost less.
You may be able to get a good price if you choose a “dual fuel” offer, where both gas and electricity are supplied by the same company. But a lot depends on the total amount of energy you use.
If your energy usage is quite low, it makes sense to choose a supplier that does not include a standard charge. People who use a lot of energy may find a standing charge is worthy paying if the unit energy price is low enough. Price is obviously the main consideration when switching, but it is worth checking the utility company’s customer-service record, too. Energywatch collates complaints to give you an idea of suppliers’ reliability.
When you are ready to switch, agree a contract with the new supplier. Then tell your old firm by phone that you are switching, following this up in writing to avoid confusion. Your old supplier normally requires 28 days notice. The whole process should take about six weeks.
On the day your new contract begins make sure you take meter readings so that you can accurately pay what you owe your old company.
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Energy Saving Trust and Renewable Energy Grants
The Government’s Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that the average family could save more than £200 on yearly domestic fuel bills if it made recommended energy improvements. The Government is encouraging these changes by offering grants. Major improvements, such as fitting photovoltaic solar panels, qualify for Low Energy Buildings programme renewable energy grants of £400 to £5,000.
Solar sense
Prices for photovoltaic (PV) systems vary, depending on the size of the system to be installed, type of PV cell used and the nature of the actual building on which the PV is mounted. The size of the system is dictated by the amount of electricity required. The PV cell converts sunlight into electricity. For the average domestic system, costs can be around £4,000- £9,000 per kWp installed, with most domestic systems usually between 1.5 and 2 kWp.
Solar tiles cost more than conventional panels, and panels that are integrated into a roof are more expensive than those that sit on top.
If you intend to have major roof repairs carried out it may be worth exploring PV tiles as they can offset the cost of roof tiles.
Grid connected systems require very little maintenance, generally limited to ensuring that the panels are kept relatively clean and that shade from trees has not become a problem. The wiring and components of the system should however be checked regularly by a qualified technician.
Stand-alone systems, i.e. those not connected to the grid, need maintenance on other system components, such as batteries.
For advice on choosing a system call the Energy Saving Trust Hotline on
0800 298 3978. Hot Water Panels
A less expensive option is to use thermal solar panels which uses the sun’s heat to directly heat your hot water. The panels cost between £2000 and £3000 to install and qualify for a Low Carbon Buildings programme grant. But grants are subject to availability.
Visit: The Energy Saving Trust
www.est.org.uk/myhome for fact sheets about energy efficient loft insulation,
windows and lighting.
Find Low Carbon Buildings programme grant information at
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Reducing Water Costs at Home
Water is becoming a more precious natural resource. In recent years we have seen drier, hotter summers and less winter rainfall. We are all using more water in our homes - an average family of four uses about 110 gallons (880 pints) per day.
How much water do you use?
Drinking, cooking, washing per person each day 72 pints
Each toilet flush 16 pints
A good soak in the bath 160 pints
A shower 48 pints
Average cycle on a washing machine 200 pints
A dishwasher with an average load 104 pints
A hosepipe or lawn sprinkler 1760 pints
Fitting a Meter
Some people have saved hundreds of pounds per year by having a water meter fitted. This means you pay for what you use rather than having a charged fixed to the rateable value of your property.
The most likely households to benefit from a meter are homes with a relatively high rateable value with only two or three people living there who are out at work during the week. To find out if having a water meter fitted would be worthwhile contact your water company or do an on-line calculation using one of the several websites which can help e.g.
www.buy.co.uk. Saving Water at Home
Wait until you have a full load before using the washing machine or dishwasher.
Use low temperature economy cycles on dishwashers and washing machines.
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than you need. This will also save electricity. Look out for leaking pipes or dripping
taps around the house.
A dripping tap or overflow can waste about a pint of water in ten minutes.
Try a shower instead of a bath. It uses up to two thirds less water and saves energy as well.
Does your garden path always seem damp? It might be a leak in a pipe from the pavement stop to your house. this is normally your responsibility. Call your water company or a plumber.
Check your plumbing, especially outside and in the loft to see if it is insulated. If the pipe freeze during a cold spell, the ice inside the pipe can expand and burst the pipe.
Fit insulation to hot water pipes. A lot of water can be wasted from running taps while waiting for them to get hot.
Make sure that any hot water, central heating and toilet cisterns are not overflowing. Seewww.hippo-the-watersaver.co.ukfor water.
If you see a leak in the road contact your local water company.
If you have an older or larger toilet cistern, an easy way to save on water during flushes is to fill a plastic bottle or bag with water and carefully place in the cistern.
Instead of washing and preparing vegetables under a running tap, fill a bowl of water.
Do your washing up in a bowl rather than in the sink or under a running tap. Use another bowl of clean water to rinse or use both sides of a double sink.
Saving Water in the Garden
Every garden needs water - but too much won’t make it better and might do it harm. Good gardeners know the secret of a beautiful garden is when to water - and when not to.
When it’s hot, water the garden in the evening so that the water soaks before it evaporates.
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Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe. The water from a hosepipe, or especially a sprinkler, tends to simply run off and it can wash away the soil from around its roots. A sprinkler can use as much water in an hour as a family of four uses in a day.
Don’t water leaves on plants - aim the water at the base. Leaves will get all the moisture they need up from the roots.
Leave the lawn a little longer before you cut it to help retain moisture. Collect rainwater in a water butt for use in the garden.
Your water company may give you a rebate on your bill if you tell them you have a water but.
You can use dishwater or bathwater to water the garden. But don’t use water from a washing machine or dishwasher because strong detergents can harm plants.
Cover the soil around plants and vegetables with polythene or shredded bark or compost to help retain moisture.
Even in high summer lawns don’t need watering as much as people think. We often water our lawns too often. If you over-water the lawn, root growth will be discouraged: so when the surface really dries out, the grass can’t reach down to draw moisture from the soil.
Give your lawn a tonic feed or fertiliser in the spring to build up its strength to resist dry spells later.
Hoeing flower beds helps them soak up
moisture and encourages root growth. But don’t hoe when it is very hot because it increases water evaporation.
Keep flower beds weed free. Weeds starve the trees and shrubs of moisture.
Recirculate water in ponds and fountains. By recirculating the water and incorporating a filter system the only extra water needed is to replace that lost by evaporation.
