Energy efficiency

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Energy Efficiency Information

1. How to reduce Energy Bills

If you find that you are facing large energy bills, you may find that you can make a significant difference to your bills by following the advice below:

If you have central heating, think about turning the thermostat down by just 1ºc if you are too warm. This can cut up to 10% off your fuel bills;
Close curtains at dusk so that you do not lose heat through windows;
Make the most of the sun by opening doors in sunny rooms to let warm air travel through your home;
Remember to put the plug in the washbasin or sink. Leaving hot water taps running is wasteful and expensive;
Make sure that you defrost your fridge/freezer regularly. This will help keep it working well and will lower running costs;
Don’t put hot or warm food straight into the fridge. Leave it until it has cooled down before you refrigerate it;
Cut food into small pieces so it cooks quickly.
Turn appliances off at plug rather than leaving them on stand-by (eg. TV, hi-fi, microwave).
Using energy efficient light bulbs
Purchase “A” rated appliances when possible.

2. Water efficiency tips

Use less water in the bathroom by:

taking a quick shower rather than a bath;
fitting a Save a Flush water saving device in your cisterns;
not leaving a tap running whilst brushing your teeth;
putting a plug in the sink whilst washing or shaving.

Use less water in the kitchen by:

Only putting as much water as you need in the kettle rather than filling it up (eg. Just for one drink (but make sure you cover the elements of an electric kettle);
using a bowl when washing or peeling vegetables rather than letting the tap run;
Not leaving the tap running when washing up, use a bowl instead;
Not using dishwashers and washing machines when they are half full.

Use less water in the garden by:

Installing a water butt. Your roof collects about tens of thousands of rainwater each year. This could fill hundreds of water butts with free water.
Use rainwater for watering the garden (instead of tapwater). In addition to saving our precious tapwater, rainwater is better for your plants.
Use a bucket and sponge to wash your car. Just 30 minutes with a hosepipe will waste hundreds of litres. And, using a bucket will give your car a much more precise wash. If you must use a hosepipe, attach a trigger nozzle.

3. Energy efficient white goods

As part of our organisation’s policy towards the environment, please consider this guidance before purchasing white goods for your property.

When buying any white goods please consider the environmental impact that the appliance may have and aim to select the more environmentally friendly units as suggested below:

Fridges, freezers & fridge freezers B or higher

Washing machines B or higher

Washer dryers/tumble dryers B or higher

And in the case of fridges or freezers check if they are CFC or HFC free. (This note has been generated by the Building Research Establishments Eco Homes assessment scheme – April 2006).

Appliance labelling

Under the EC energy efficiency labelling scheme, all new appliances are rated to show how efficient they are in terms of energy use and noise pollution. For example, fridges, freezers, tumble dryers, washer dryers, dishwashers and washing machines are rated from A to G. (‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least).

The energy labelling on appliances is designed to help buyers make an informed choice on the different level of energy consumption (and therefore costs) for different appliances.

Although higher rated (A & B) appliances will be slightly more expensive to buy, they will cost less money to run and be less harmful to the environment.

4. Further information

For more information on how to run your home efficiently please contact the following organisations or see their websites:

The Energy Saving Trust: www.est.org.uk/myhome

21 Dartmouth Street
London

SW1H 9BP

Customer advice line – freephone 0800 512 012

Centre for Sustainable Energy: www.cse.org.uk

3 St Peter's Court
Bedminster Parade
Bristol

BS3 4AQ

Tel: 0117 934 1400

Bristol City Council: www.bristol-city.gov.uk

The Council House
College Green

Bristol
BS1 5TR
Tel: 0117 922 2000

Halsall Construction Ltd: www.halsall.co.uk

1 Roman Way
Bath Business Park
Peasedown St. John
Bath
BA2 8SG

Tel: 01761 433744