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Your online directory of Environmentally friendly products, services and information |
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How would your home stand up
to a home efficiency rating?
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About FAQ's
Contact Or text your question to: (standard cost applies)
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How to improve your home efficiency | |
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Below are some key areas and what you can do to make sure your
property gets the best grade and save money now.
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| Roof insulation - should be 200mm | ||
| Check that you have sufficient roof insulation. If it has been installed for a number of years it may have become compacted. Don't forget to make sure the loft hatch cover is also insulated. | ||
| Types of insulation | ||
Both of these can be bought from DIY stores. However, if you 'do it yourself' you have to pay 17.5% VAT. Professionals pay 5%. It can sometimes be more cost effective to have it done professionally. Sheep's wool - hygroscopic - suitable for older buildings - this can be bought from specialist suppliers such as Earth and Reed |
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| Cavity wall insulation | ||
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Since the earlier 1980's all new homes were required to have insulation as part of the building regulations. If your home was built before this time then it may not. 33% of heat is typically lost through walls. Do you have cavity walls? Post 1920's Do you have insulation? Property age 1920's - 1980's Types of insulation: Work should be guaranteed for 25 years. |
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| Heating efficiency | ||
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If your boiler is more than 15 years old, changing it can save 20% or more. The addition of a room thermostatic room control will also make a difference. Other options are TRV (thermostatic radiator valves). Never have them on full (5) as this means no control. Boiler management systems - 20% fuel saving can be guaranteed by boiler management systems using Tec Boiler controls. Contact Sue Crothers for more information. |
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| Fit Novitherm Radiator Panels | ||
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Reduce the amount of heat lost from your radiators to the wall behind them by fitting Novitherm Radiator Panels. These reduce the convection heat lost by reflecting all the heat towards the room. They can be easily installed without any special tools. Savings are typically 13% to 22%. JouleSave EMES Ltd is the sole manufacturer of Novitherm Radiator
Insulation panels in the UK and Eire. JouleSave is a founder member
of MICRA (the Metallised Insulative Convection Radiator-panel Association). All the panels can be bought directly from the JouleSave
web site |
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| Lighting | ||
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Making sure you use low energy light bulbs whether you can is one of the simplest and quickest ways of improving your energy efficiency. CFL come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and not expensive. Many supermarkets stock the basic designs and more specialist designs can be found at many online shops. It will be the high demand bulbs such as spot lights and outside lights that will use the most electricity. |
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| Links and further information | ||
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Sample report for energy efficiency Energy Saving Trust The Carbon Trust |
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© 2006 Susan Crothers |
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![[click for example of solid wall]](other%20pics/englishbond.jpg){kind=link}
![[click for example of cavity wall]](other%20pics/cavity.jpg){kind=link}