Heating & Insulation Tips

Heaters

• When buying heaters, make sure that they are the right size for the rooms they are to heat, and that they have thermostatic controls.
• Remember that electric heaters other than storage heaters consume electricity at the most expensive charge rate.
• Use a space or portable heater instead of the central heater, if only one room needs heating.
• Choose heaters with thermostat controls and timers.

Central Heating

• Proper control and regular maintenance of your heating system can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20%
• Heat bedroom areas to less than 18°C
• 20°C is an ideal room temperature. Turning down thermostats by 1°C can reduce annual space heating energy consumption by 10% with an equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Heat Loss

• Open fires are wasteful of energy with more than 70% of the energy going up the chimney.
• If the radiator is mounted below a window, a projecting window-board or shelf above the radiator will direct warm air into the room, reducing heat loss through the window.
• Close doors to separate heated from unheated areas of your home, and minimise the area you are heating.

Hot Water Heating

• Heating hot water account for 64% of energy consumption in the home: you should be thrifty in its use.
• 90% of the energy consumption of washing machines goes on heating the water. Wash clothes whenever possible in cold or cool water.

Insulation

• A lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep water hotter for longer and pay for itself in 2-3 months.
• Insulate your attic and save up to 20% on your home heating bill.