Saving Energy We promote equality of opportunity in every aspect of our business in line with our objectives. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 1
SAVE ENERGY Did you know that the average household bill can be reduced considerably by taking some fairly simple measures? And, did you know that this will also help the environment? The Association has taken some or all of the measures from the following list to improve the energy efficiency of your house: Wall insulation Floor insulation Loft insulation Cavity wall insulation Double glazing Draught proofing Hot water tank and pipe insulation Thermostatic radiator valves Heating system Solar Photovoltaic' (PV) Systems The measures which you can take to reduce your fuel bills even further can be divided into several categories. Appliances Lighting No cost measures Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 2
THE EUROPEAN ENERGY LABEL The European Energy Label has been designed to show the energy efficiency of appliances compared with similar models. A energy rated appliances are the most efficient and G the least efficient. The label also shows the electricity consumption of the appliance in units (kwh) under standard test conditions. The labels also contain additional information such as the capacity of the fridge or freezer and the wash and spin performance of washing machine. The Energy Label must, by Law, be shown on all fridges, freezers, fridge freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, washer dryers and dishwashers. If you can t see the label, ask the retailer where it is. As well as giving you information on the efficiency of an appliance the ratings allow the European Union to remove the least efficient models from sale to reduce the running costs for consumers and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. From September 3rd 1999 manufacturers have to stop manufacturing fridges, freezers and fridge freezers energy rated D or below (or F and below for chest freezers). There may be some cheaper old stocks available at special prices but they are unlikely to work out cheaper over their lifetime. If in doubt ask the store staff to work out the different running costs for you. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 3
APPLIANCES How much do appliances cost to run? Over its lifetime, the cost of running an appliance can be more that the initial purchase cost so it s worth buying the most efficient you can. To work out the average running cost per year multiply the kwh consumption on the label by 7p (the average cost of a unit of electricity). Laundry appliances and dishwashers give the consumption per wash, so you need to multiply that figure by 7p and then by the number of washes per year to get an annual cost. The average UK household does around 300 washes per year. How do new appliances compare to current models? The cost of an appliance can vary according to the brand and the product features. However the technology used in appliances has greatly improved in recent years. So much so that if your current appliances are over 10 years old upgrading to an energy efficient model could save you, for example, 45-40 per year on a fridge freezer or 15 per year on a washing machine. Buy new if you can. A cheap second hand appliance could be false economy it will probably cost you more in the long run! Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 4
LIGHTING ENERGY SAVING LIGHTBULBS What is an energy saving light bulb? You have probably seen them in the supermarket or DIY store next to the ordinary light bulbs. Energy saving light bulbs use advanced electronic technology. This enables them to produce light using a fraction of the electricity that ordinary light bulbs use. It also means that they last longer than ordinary bulbs up to 10 times longer. So they go on saving you money year after year. Are there different types? Like ordinary light bulbs, energy saving bulbs come in standard bayonet and screw fittings so they should fit in any socket around your home. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you can choose one that works well with your lampshade. Generally speaking, it doesn t matter what size or shape bulb you use. You might find, however, that the latest energy saving bulbs, shaped the same as ordinary bulbs, are best where the bulb can be seen. Stick type ones work best in central positions because they radiate light in a more uniform manner. But if you have wall lights, you might prefer the effect a flat type gives you, with more light top and bottom. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 5
LIGHTING ENERGY SAVING LIGHTBULBS Do they come in different brightness's? Yes. Just like ordinary bulbs, energy efficient bulbs are available in a choice of Wattages. But because they use only a quarter of the amount of energy, their equivalents are correspondingly lower. Here are some examples of the ratings for ordinary bulbs, together with their energy saving equivalents. Because the light is radiated in a different way compared to ordinary bulbs, you may want to consider the next higher Wattage to achieve the same illumination. Ordinary Bulbs Energy saving bulb equivalent 25W 5-6W 40W 7-10W 60W 11-18W 100W 20-25W Where is it best to fit energy saving light bulbs? Take a look around your home. Where do you have your lights on most often and for the longest period? There are the best one to replace because they will save you the most money. Also, if you have outside security lighting which is left on for several hours each night, an energy saving bulb will work out a lot more cost effective. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 6
LIGHTING ENERGY SAVING LIGHTBULBS Is there anywhere not suitable for an energy saving light bulb? Yes. Although energy saving bulbs can be used in most places, they don t work with electronic sensors, dimmers and timers, so always check your manufacturers instructions first. What does it cost and how much can you save? Because they use sophisticated technology, energy saving bulbs cost more than their ordinary counterparts. Generally bulbs cost up to 10 depending on the type chosen. When buying an energy saving bulb, check the packaging to see how long it will last. Compare it to an ordinary bulb which will last, on average, 1,000 hours. There are also cheaper economy bulbs available, but check the quality before you buy. And remember, because they use much less electricity and last up to 6 times longer, they will not only save you around 10 a year each on your electricity bills, but they will also save you money by not having to buy normal replacement bulbs too. Cost 5 Savings 10.00 per year in electricity or 56 per bulb over a typical lifetime (inc. the cost of the bulb) Costs recovered over 6 months. Energy saving light bulbs should be used in areas where they ll be left on for long periods. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 7
Use your cooker wisely! NO COST MEASURES Never use a cooker to heat a room. When you need boiling water for cooking, a kettle is quicker and uses less energy than a saucepan on the hob. Only fill electric kettles with as much water as you need. But do make sure you cover the element. When you cook vegetables, use just enough water to cover the food and put the lid on your saucepan. Turn the heat down to simmer the water rather than keep it boiling. Less steam means less need to ventilate the room, cutting your heating costs. Make sure you use the right size pan for your cooking ring. Use pans that can divide into sections so you cook several items at once. Cook big batches of food at once. It is more energy efficient to use all the oven space available and to freeze food you don t need that day. Take out of the oven any shelves you don t use. Cut food into smaller sections before cooking. It may cook more quickly. Don t keep opening the oven door when you are cooking. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 8
NO COST MEASURES If you have a modern electric cooker or oven, take advantage of their economy features. These features include: Use only half the grill, small oven or dual heating rings if you have them. A pressure cooker speeds up most cooking times. Make toast in the toaster, not under the grill. Microwaves mean you don t always need to use the oven. Use a microwave as much as possible, not just for reheating and frozen food, but for fresh food too. Jacket potatoes cook more quickly and cheaply in a microwave oven or combination oven rather than in a traditional cooker. Microwaves can be useful when people eat at different times. They are quick, easy and economical to use. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 9
TIPS THAT WON T COST A THING Draw curtains when it starts to go dark. This will help to keep the heat in. On sunny days, keep them open to let the sun in. Make sure they don t hang over radiators. Use low temperature washes in your washing machine whenever possible. New washing machine powders produce equal cleaning potential. Lined curtains are best for keeping the heat in. Use underlay with your carpets to help keep your home warm. Make sure the hot water cylinder thermostat is not set too high. It doesn t need to be any higher than 60ºC, but it shouldn t be lower than 55ºC. Don t wash your hands or dishes under running hot water. Put the plug in the sink or use a washing-up bowl. When you only need small amounts of water, try to heat just the amount you need where you need it. Showers are cheaper than baths because they use less hot water. Make sure you turn off taps properly. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 10
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR GAS! Set time clocks so that the heating system operates only when you need it modern controls allow you to set a different programme for every day of the week, so suit your life-style. In a conventional oven, the temperature stated as corresponding to the Gas Mark setting will be the temperature in the middle of the oven the oven will normally be hotter at the top, and cooler at the bottom. In a fan-assisted oven, you should set the temperature control for a value slightly less than the one quoted in a recipe for a conventional oven your manufacturers instructions will give you the precise figures. When cooking in the oven, avoid using oversized baking trays that cover the entire shelf area, as this hinders proper heat circulation and may cause food to burn. Your manufacturer s instructions will tell you the sizes you can use. Most hobs have burners which can be turned down from a fast boil to a low setting for gentle simmering. The flames should never lick round the sides of the pan. To save heat, cover the saucepan with a lid when the contents have boiled. You may find that an off-peak tariff will help to keep costs down. Call Energyline on 0345 776 633 for more information on tariffs. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 11
FRIDGES AND FREEZERS Put your fridge or freezer in a cool place. Don t put it next to your cooker or in the sun. Load and unload the fridge as quickly as possible. Don t leave the fridge door open for longer that you need to. Never put hot food in a fridge or freezer. Let it cool first. Defrost your fridge or freezer regularly. Check the manufacturer s instructions for more details. Ice should never be more than a quarter of an inch (6mm) thick around the ice box. Make sure you set the thermostat in you fridge to the correct temperature. This should be no more than 5 C. Use a thermometer to ensure the fridges temperature is correct for the foodstuffs. If the temperature is too low it will use more energy than is needed. Keep your fridge in good working order. Check for gaps around the seal with a piece of paper. If the paper comes out easily warm air can be getting in! Check the energy label when buying a new fridge or freezer. Chest freezers are more efficient than upright ones. Get the most efficient appliance and save money. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 12
WASHING CLOTHES Always try to put a full load of washing into your washing machine or tumble dryer. You can wash most clothes on a 40 C wash cycle. You can do 4 loads for the price of one wash on the hottest setting. Use economy programmes on your washing machine. If the weather is fine, dry your clothes outside. Spin clothes first before putting them in the DISHWASHERS Wait until you have a full load before you use it. Use economy programmes whenever possible. A hot-fill dishwasher can save energy, depending on your hot water supply. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 13
LIGHTING Turn off any lights you don t need. Keep lampshades and bulbs clean. Darker lampshades give out less light. Fit lower wattage bulbs where possible. Spotlights can be more expensive to run than other lighting so don t leave them on too long. If you are buying new light fittings, you can save even more. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 14
TIPS AND ADVICE If you are too warm, turn the thermostat down by 1 C, this can cut up to 10% off your fuel bills. To cut down on wasted energy, avoid leaving appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily. Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 15
Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Ltd New Hall, Market Place Melksham Wiltshire, SN12 6EX Tel: 01380 850916 E-mail: info@wrha.co.uk www.wrha.co.uk Wiltshire Rural Housing Association is a Registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (24672R) and is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011. Affiliated to the National Housing Federation This leaflet is part of the Resident Handbook and can be viewed or downloaded from www.wrha.co.uk Wiltshire Rural Housing Association Saving Energy 2015 16