Heating, Lighting & Appliances

Heating

Full central heating is probably best if you need to keep every room warm most of the time.  You can cut central heating costs simply by controlling your heating more effectively through addressing these four elements:

• Temperature of the room
• Temperature of stored hot water
• On/off times for heating and hot water
• Switching off the boiler when heating is no longer required

Time switch or programmer controls are the most useful of all heating controls.  It turns your heating and hot water on and off automatically at the times you set, saving you energy and money.

Room thermostat controls automatically switches you’re heating off once it reaches your chosen temperature and back on again if it drops below your own comfort level.

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRV’s) enable you to control the temperature of each room separately.  They work best in rooms that overheat like kitchens or conservatories or in rooms which are rarely used, such as spare bedrooms.

Using Hot water cylinder thermostats by reducing the temperature of your stored hot water can reduce energy wastage and save yourself money.  Turning the cylinder thermostat down to 60 degrees C is hot enough.

Lighting

Energy efficient lighting can provide savings of up to ten times the cost of the lamp over its lifetime, even though energy efficient lamps are initially more expensive that conventional ones.

Energy efficient lighting can be installed at any time, anywhere.  They are particularly cost effective for lighting that is used throughout the night e.g. security lighting.  You should also consider replacing lighting which is used for more than four hours per day.

Energy saving light bulbs can produce lighting using a fraction of the electricity needed for ordinary light bulbs which means they can last up to 12 times longer and go on saving you money year after year.  They come in standard bayonet and screw fittings and a variety of shapes and sizes.  They don’t work with electronic sensors, dimmers and timers, so always check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

The latest energy saving light bulbs look exactly like ordinary bulbs.  Meanwhile “stick” type energy saving light bulbs work best in central positions because they radiate light uniformly.  For wall lights, however, you might prefer a “flat” light bulb, which provides more light at top and bottom.

Appliances

Energy efficient domestic appliances use less electricity and are therefore less expensive to run and they produce less atmospheric pollution.  Energy efficient appliances can be no more expensive to buy than equivalent appliances that are much less efficient.  When buying an appliance, look for the energy label.