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Stay energy efficient despite the cold weather

Published: 25th January 2010

Much of the UK has been seen colder than usual temperatures this winter with widespread snow and ice affecting all our day-to-day lives. On Monday the 4th of January, the National grid actually issued a gas balancing alert (GBA), where it asked power suppliers to try to use less gas until more was sourced from overseas. This is only the second time this has ever happened but was needed due to a 30% rise in the usage of gas during the worst of the weather.

As a home owner there are a few things that you can do to your home to try to keep warm and stay energy efficient during the winter months. Here are a few ideas:

Home insulation

Installing loft insulation is one of the easiest and best ways to stop wastage of energy in your home. It is estimated that an insulated loft can save you up to £150 every single year.

Central heating

The UK government has just launched its boiler scrappage scheme. But if your boiler is not one of those that are eligible for a grant, you can do a few other things to try to reduce your bills.

• Turn off radiators in rooms that are not used regularly.
• If your radiators don't already have them, install thermostatic radiator valves on all your radiators to control the heat more effectively.
• Upgrade your thermostat and timer to a temperature controlled programmable timer. This will keep the house at the right temperature throughout the day and night and some have weekend modes so you can turn the heating on a little later on Saturdays and Sundays.
  

Lighting

Install energy efficient light bulbs throughout the home.

Energy efficient products

If buying new products or appliances, make sure they are as energy efficient as possible, this includes new double glazing and all home appliances such as washing machines and fridge freezers.

Underfloor heating

If you are refurbishing or redesigning your kitchen, install underfloor heating beneath your floor tiles . This is a great way of warming the room effectively and using the residual heat most efficiently.