Energy Saving Tips!

We all love a chance to save money on our bills whether by discounts, vouchers, or wacky tips. However, now more than ever due to the recent cost of living crisis we are looking for different ways to reduce our energy bills. 

Therefore, Money Saving Expert and The Energy Saving Trust along with various other energy sector experts have come together to share their key tips and busting any myths. These include: 

Keeping your heating on low all day will save you money…

False – The Energy Saving trust have identified that by only having your heating on as and when you need it is the best way to save money. The key thing that customers need to understand is that it is all about the total amount of energy required to heat your home. It is widely known that a certain amount of heat will consistently leak from your home (the quantity depends on how well your home is insulated) therefore, by keeping your heating on all day you’re losing more heat from your home. 

Clingfilm on windows can help stop heat escaping…

True – The principle behind this statement is that by placing a thin layer of clingfilm on your windows it will trap a layer of air, preventing heat from escaping and forming a small barrier or insulation. However, this is only a short-term solution and for longer more effective results, double glazing is preferred. 

Keeping the hot water boiler on all day saves money… 

False – Houses run on gas, oil, or LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) central heating are advised that to save money, they should only turn on your hot water when required, preferably via a timer system. However, houses run on electrical immersion heaters and on Energy tariffs of 7 or 10 [where energy is cheaper at night] its cheaper to heat your water then at night. It is also suggested that you keep your boiler well insulated to avoid the water cooling rapidly during off periods. According to Energy Saving Trust, a British standard jacket of 80mm thickness can help to save £35 a year off your energy bill. 

It is cheaper to use radiators instead of electric heaters…

True – The Energy Saving Trust has suggested that heating your home via electric storage heaters is the most expensive form. Using a gas central heating system with a full set of thermostatic radiator valves, room thermostat and timer is suggested to be the cheapest way of heating your home efficiently. 

Obviously, these suggestions may not apply to all consumers, depending on what energy tariff they are on, disposable income as well as insulation and heating measures currently installed in their homes. For example, if the home has access to renewable energy sources such as Solar PV and your home is heating via electric then this is a more cost-effective measure. 

The Eco Scheme can provide access FREE insulation and Heating Measures

The Energy Companies Obligation scheme offers low-income, vulnerable and fuel poor households to apply for funding meaning these types of measures can be installed for free via companies such as Eco Home Insulation. 

The ECO Scheme helps to cut carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty within the UK. The scheme obligates energy companies with more than 150,000 customers to offer energy efficient solutions to those who need it most. The number of measures the companies install all depends on their market share, meaning some smaller companies may have limited availability. However, British Gas, Eon, Octopus, Bulb and EDF are all a part of this scheme and will have more readily available accessibility. 

The ECO scheme doesn’t permit consumers to only use or contact their own energy suppliers. Instead, there are smaller companies that work with these bigger energy suppliers to offer this grant and provide the surveying, installing and continued maintenance of the insulation and heating measures offered.

Eco Home Insulation works as a trusted fitter for these bigger energy companies. Our role involves checking your eligibility for funding, sending our trusted surveyors out to your home to see what measures are required, accessing the funding from the Government for these measures on your behalf, installing the necessary products and helping with any maintenance needed after.