Energy is vital to nearly all aspects of our daily lives – but we rarely stop to think about how or why we use it. As the price of energy continues to rise, now is the ideal time to consider what you can do to be more energy efficient. The good news is that there are many simple ways to use energy more efficiently that will save money and benefit the environment.
Sustainable energy refers to a way we can generate and use energy that is more efficient and less harmful to the environment. By being sustainable in how you use energy has immediate benefits:
• It will save you money on your electricity and heating bills.
• Your home will be more comfortable and convenient
• And you will also be making a vital contribution to reducing climate change.
Practical Advice on improving the energy efficiency of your home
If you don’t have adequate attic insulation, you are losing energy and money through the roof.
• If your attic insulation is currently less than 300mm, then you should add further layers. The water tank and pipes should also be insulated to prevent freezing. The area under the cold water tank should not be insulated.
• Check the attic hatch or door for cold draughts along its perimeter and seal it with draught proofing to prevent heat escaping.
The bathroom is generally the room in a house where the largest quantity of hot water is used so there are good opportunities for energy savings.
• A thermostatic mixing valve can be used to set the water at the same temperature, every time the shower is turned on.
• Consider fitting a spray tap. It delivers as little as a cup of water for every half a bucket that an ordinary tap delivers, but still allows you to wash in the same way.
• Take a shower rather than a bath.
• Never leave hot water running unnecessarily.
• Generate hot water only when it is required and store hot water efficiently.
It is wasteful and ineffective to leave a hot water cylinder uninsulated just so as it can contribute to the home heating.
• The cylinder should always be lagged to minimise heat loss and keep the water hot for as long as possible.
• If your hot water is being heater by your central heating boiler, you should fit a cylinder thermostat.
• Generate hot water only when it is required and store hot water efficiently.
Lighting levels in the bedrooms are generally lower than other parts of the house and lighting is used intermitterntly. Heating control is important because, although unoccupied during the day, the room should be at a comfortable temperature by bedtime.
• Low wattage CFLs can be used to replace existing bulbs.
• The radiators in the bedrooms should be turned off when the rooms are not in use.
The kitchen and utility rooms in typical homes tend to be where most electricity is used. The lighting level in the kitchen is usually higher than most other area of the house and there is usually a large heat output in the kitchen from electrical equipment,especially cookers.
• When purchasing new laundry or refrigeration appliance, look for the energy label. Purchase A or B rated appliances where possible.
• Fluorescent tubes are considerably more energy efficient than traditional tungsten filament bulbs, particularly the newer slim 26 mm tubes.
• Where fluorescent tubes are not suitable install CFLs.
• Avail of ESB’s Nightsaver tariff for the electrical appliances that can be run at night. For safety reasons, appliances should not be left totally unattended while operating.
• Energy can also be saved by using existing appliances correctly.
Hall, Stairs & Landing
• Lighting is generally left on for long periods and only background heating is required. This is an ideal location for the CFLs to be installed.
• If the radiator is already fitted with a thermostatic radiator valve, lower it to the lowest setting that will provide a comfortable level of heating.
• If there is no thermostatic radiator valve on the radiator in the hall, it is worth considering having one installed.
• If you can feel a draught through your hall door or letter box in winter, you should draught proof their perimeters.
• Installing a thermostatic radiator valve on the kitchen radiator will allow the heat output to be varied with demand.
Living / Dining Room
• The level of lighting required for these rooms is usually high compared to other areas of the house. It should be possible to adjust the lighting in the living and dining rooms to suit different activities. Use CFLs or dimmer switches (though not together) to achieve appropriate lighting levels.
• Unplug or turn off electrical equipment such as TVs or HiFi when not in use, as they use energy even when they are on ‘stand by’.
• Thermostatic radiator valves will keep the room at a constant and comfortable temperature and are particularly effective in rooms with other heat sources such as open fires.
• Choose occasional electric heaters that are fitted with thermostatic control to maintain optimum comfort at minimum energy use.
Boiler & Controls
• A time clock limits the running time of your heating system thereby reducing wasteful use of energy.
• The thermostat, controlling the heat output from the boiler to the house, should be installed in an area that is indicative of the general heat conditions of the house.
• You should have your boiler professionally serviced at least once a year.
Optional Boiler Controls:
• A weather compensation system regulates the heating system based on both indoor and outdoor temperatures.
• An optimiser is an intelligent control that brings on the heating for the shortest possible time before occupancy to give comfort conditions.