Energy saving ideas...

retromatic · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Manchester

Here are a few basics to help you to save energy, hopefully someone will add to the list!

Heating water is the single biggest consumer of energy in UK homes. It takes more energy to heat water than any other substance.

Kettle - boil what you need, a kettle is very power hungry ( like about 30 TV's) so don't over fill.

Washing machine - same story. Apart from very heavily soiled clothes, most stuff will be nice and clean after a 30 or 40 degree wash (which is also quicker).

Central heating - find out whats making the house cold (apart from the weather) fix draughts, close doors, close curtains at night. Also consider a room thermostat and radiator thermostatic valves. If using an old gas boiler, upgrade at some point to a condensing boiler... very efficient.

Damp air can suck the heat out of your home, consider a damp proof course if needed or a dehumidifier.

Also consider cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. Not expensive!

Any more anyone?

5611Baron · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Sutherland

Retromatic has offered some good suggestions. I can add to the list some ideas that I have applied. But it would be good to know how much energy can really be saved by just one family. I would like to offer the results we've obtained. Since comparisons between families are relevent only if the size, ages, and lifestyle are also comparable, I offer this:
Couple, mid-70's, retired. One gardens, one cooks and keeps house.
I gather downed wood for our stove, we have central oil heating, a big water cylinder, use bottled gas for hob top and top off with about 250 Kg of coal each year. We are located on the Minch shore across from Stornaway.

We used an average of 5356.5 kw/hrs/yr in a two year period, 2004/2005 Motivated by the 20% reduction challenge we started to apply all of the little things toward our way of life. In the first year (2096-2007) consumption had decreased to 3881 kw/hrs which was a 27.5% reduction.
The current use (9 Aug 06 to 9 Aug 07) was 3636 Kwhrs. This is a 30.4% reduction over the base period in 2004 and 2005.

Yes, the house is a bit cooler. Yes, we use less artificial light. Yes, things are not quite as convenient. Has it been painful? NO.
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The only way to eat an elephant is one small bite at a time. Our 'elephant' is excessive CO2 emissions.

greentech · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: California

CFL light bulbs, energy efficient appliance, consolidating trips in the car and car pooling all have helped me cut down.
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Hydrogen Gas Saver