Insulation

Radiator Efficiency A useful tip is to place aluminium foil behind all radiators attached to outside walls. By fixing a shelf on top, the warm air from the radiator is deflected into the middle of the room. Set the switch to turn the heating on approximately half an hour before you get home at night […]

Double Glazing Double glazing windows and doors is expensive, but an excellent method of draught proofing as well as adding an attractive home improvement. As well as cutting heating costs, it also reduces outside noise. There are two methods of installing double glazing: Buy from a specialist company Buy windows or doors in kit form

Draughty fireplaces If the fireplace is never used, it may be advisable to cover it and seal off completely. It is necessary to fit a “hit and miss” ventilator to provide ventilation for the flue. If you want to keep the appearance of an open fireplace, but do not intend to light a fire –

Insulation of cisterns and pipes Use a Bylaw 30 kit to insulate your cold water storage system. It will include a jacket and other equipment needed. It is sensible to insulate your central heating expansion tank at the same time. Insulate a run of pipes with an insulating blanket cover if possible. Otherwise it may

Room thermostat control The room thermostat provides a simple but effective control of the air temperature by switching off the heating at a set level. By switching your heating down by 1° you can save money and energy. Experiment with various settings to find the temperature you feel comfortable living in. Generally, 18°C (65°F) is

Energy efficient light bulbs Energy efficient light bulbs are more expensive to buy, but They last about eight times as long as standard bulbs They use around one fifth of the electricity of a standard bulb

Introduction As much as 20% of your energy bill can be saved by effective loft insulation. Because heat rises, insulating a loft can be especially effective. When insulating a loft, a depth of at least 150mm (6inches) is recommended. In many older properties, shallow joists in lofts restrict depth for loose-fill insulation. It is a

Draughts from overflow pipes Use a lightweight metal, such as aluminium or zinc, to make a cover flap. These metals will not rust. Attach a small pivot, made of the same material, to a pipe clip and attach the flap to the end of the tube. Ensure that the flap can open easily under the

Introduction Insulating walls will help to conserve energy, but the methods employed are more expensive. Insualting cavity walls Insulation can be injected into cavity walls. Cavity walls can be filled with moisture-resistant plastic foam or mineral wool. Unless the cavity walls have been filled during the building stage, a contractor will have to be employed

Solar Power Solar panels can contribute up to 80% of hot water costs during the summer months. Use of solar power can help to supply up to half of a typical household”s annual hot water requirements. Solar panels are usually mounted on the roof and the radiation from the sun is used to heat a