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
Turn off the heating overnight and when you are out during the day. Turn off the heating if you are going to be out of the house for more than a day. Proper control and regular maintenance of your heating system can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20% If you have gas heating, turn-off pilot lights during the warmer months. Heat bedroom areas to less than 18oC 20oC is an ideal room temperature. Turning down thermostats by 1oC 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
Use the timer on immersion heaters. This should supply you with enough hot water as and when you need. 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

Much of the heat loss from a house occurs through the windows particularly if they are single glazed. Keep curtains closed at night and ensure that the curtains don’t hang over the radiators. A reflective foil, backed by insulation if space permits should be fixed behind radiators mounted on external walls. A lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep water hotter for longer and pay for itself in 2-3 months. If replacing the hot water cylinder, a cylinder with factory-applied insulation should be considered. Such insulation is more effective at retaining heat than a lagging jacket, is less easily damaged and cannot be pulled out of place. Insulate your attic and save up to 20% on your home heating bill.