Make your home greener
Tips on how to make your home greener from guardian.co.uk
LED lighting
Light-emitting diodes, now the norm for bicycle lights, use a fraction of the electricity consumed by standard lights and are ideal for areas of low lighting. They only replace directional lights, not the standard 60w bulb. The latest and best GU10 bulbs can now be bought in LED-form for around £10 from homewatt.co.uk.
Double glazing
Depending on the style of your home, up to 20% of heating energy can be wasted through single-glazed windows. Double glazing also cuts down on external noise and can reduce condensation. Windows should come with a thermal efficiency rating – A to G, A is the best. An A to C label wins Energy Saving Trust's approval. To help you find the best double glazing for you, you may want to use a windows broker, find out more at doubleglazingbrokers.co.uk and window-broker.co.uk.
Home energy monitor
A digital display showing your energy consumption in watts and monetary terms. Reducing the amount of electricity you consume is one of the easiest and greenest money-saving things you can do.
Replacing appliances
If you need to replace an appliance, go for an energy-efficient model. Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo, which guarantees that the product is the most energy-efficient in its category, will cost less to run and help lower CO2 emissions.
Cavity wall insulation
The better insulated your home, the less energy you need to keep it warm and the more money you'll save. By insulating your cavity walls you could cut your annual heating costs by up to 15%. If your home was built after 1920, the chances are that its external walls are made of two layers with a small gap in between. Installation must be carried out by a registered installer. Find out more at energysavingtrust.org.uk
Other top tips
- Only boil as much water as you need in a kettle
- Only use a freezer if you store enough food to fill it – half-empty freezers cost more to run than full ones
- Use the right-sized pan for the hob and use a lid when boiling water
- Washing clothes at 30ºC uses up to 40% less energy than higher temperatures
- Microwaves are more energy-efficient than ovens
Get more ways to make your home greener at guardian.co.uk
