News
Thursday 19 November 2009
WINTERPROOF YOUR HOME
HOMES WITHOUT INSULATION LOSE 50% OF HEAT THROUGH THEIR WALLS AND ROOF. Scotland currently wastes over £300 million of energy every year because of poorly insulated homes – every home can benefit today by following some top tips.
Paula Owen, Energy Doctor for the Energy Saving Trust said “By winterproofing your home you can cut down on the 50% of heat lost through the walls and roof in an un-insulated home this winter. With the exception of new homes, just about every home in the Scotland could benefit from having three energy efficiency measures.
The top three measures that have the biggest financial and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission savings are:
1) Cavity wall insulation (saves £115 a year). The typical unsubsidised installed cost is around £500, but with a grant from your energy supplier the usual cost is around £250, and some people (usually those aged 70 or over) can have it installed for free. Cavity wall insulation is usually only suitable for homes built between 1920s and 1990s, but get a survey from a CIGA registered installer to check.
2) Loft insulation (saves £150 a year if you have no insulation at the moment). The typical cost is £250
3) Replacing boilers that are 15 years old or more Replacing your old boiler with a new A-rated one and fitting a full set of heating controls can cut your heating bills by up to a quarter.
Making your home as winterproof as possible – five top tips
Use the expertise of your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre by calling free on 0800 512 012 or going online at www.energysavingtrust.co.uk1. Complete a free Home Energy Check, it could save you around £300 a year off your energy bills.
2. There are grants and offers available to help pay for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation - search the Energy Saving Trust’s grants and offers database on line or call your local advice centre.
3. If your boiler is 15 years old or more then it could be a G rated boiler. You can find out if your boiler is G rated by checking the list on line on the Energy Saving Trust web site
4. Fit a hot water tank jacket and insulate your pipe work. By fitting a British Standard jacket around your hot water tank you can save around £35 a year and around 190 kg of CO2. By insulating your primary pipe work (the visible hot water pipes) you can save around £10 a year and around 60 kg of CO2
5. Fit draught proofing to windows and doors and save around £25 a year and around 130 kg of CO2.
Before undertaking any major changes to your home or even for small, simple cheap tips give your local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre a call for FREE, impartial advice to help you stop wasting energy on 0800 512 012
