How to cut your energy costs

Information from the Energy Saving Trust

Helping Hands for homes in England and Wales 

The cost of making energy improvements, reducing fuel bills and adding value to your home could be much less than you think! Government is supporting action to help reduce CO2 emissions, including: an obligation on energy suppliers to promote energy saving measures, encouragement to local authorities to implement energy saving strategies and the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates on the sale of homes. They provide a wide range of financial support, incentives and offers to help you with the costs.

Financial support will depend on your circumstances and where you live. Call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 for details of the most up to date support available to you.

Funded by government, we can give free, impartial and expert advice on a range of energy saving measures-from where to find professional installers to getting a home energy report.

Small changes-big results

CAVITY WALL INSULATION

Does your home have cavity walls? With up to 33 per cent of heat escaping through your walls, getting cavity wall insulation can save you up to 15 per cent off your heating costs. Installation is quick, easy and cost effective. It only costs around £500 to install- much less if you qualify for a grant.

EXAMPLE: Energy supplier offers grants to qualifying households from up to £75 (mid-terrace house) to up to £300 (detached house) towards cavity wall insulation.

LOFT INSULATION:

Another major source of heat loss - up to 25 per cent. Most homes have some loft installation, but it is also a fact that most homes don’t have enough! The headline cost for installation is £500- but with a grant you won’t have to pay as much.

EXAMPLE: Independent insulation provider offers discounts of up to £650 (free for homeowners on benefits) towards the cost of loft installation.

HEATING CONTROLS

Installing automatic timer switches for heating, hot water and thermostats will improve efficiency no end- with a potential saving of £100 a year.

EXAMPLE: Manufacturer’s scheme enables people to purchase heating control packs, thermostatic radiator valves and programmable room thermostats at much reduced prices.

To find out what support is available in your area visit:

www.ebergysavingtrust.org.uk/gid

The UK government funds schemes providing up to £2,700 to households on benefits to improve their heating and energy efficiency. The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ-with some schemes you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age.

If you’re really serious about saving energy…

The Government’s Low Carbon Building Programme provides grants to help householders to install micro generation technologies from renewable sources (e.g. the sun, wind, heat stored in the ground).

They include:

• Solar photovoltaic panels
• Wind turbines
• Solar thermal hot water
• Ground source heat pumps
• Bio-energy

To qualify you must carry out a number of energy efficiency measures-loft insulation, cavity wall insulation (if you have cavity walls), low energy light bulbs and heating system controls with a room thermostat and a programmer or timer. Grants vary between £400 and £2,500 depending on technology or a combination of technologies.

We recommend that you get a free home energy check from the Energy Saving Trust who will advise you on the measures best suited to your home.

Phone free on: 0800 512 012

For more information about micro generation technologies and grants

Phone: 0800 915 0990

Or visit: www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

Home information Packs

Home information packs aim to provide consumers with a clearer, ore transparent and effective home buying and selling process.

Essential information is provided by the seller up front, allowing buyers to make more informed decisions and save costs particularly for the first time. HIP’s are compulsory for anyone marketing a home for sale, no matter what the size.

Energy Performance Certificates

A key feature of HIP’s- the EPC rates your home’s energy performance on s scale from A (best) to G (worst). A good rating will increase your property’s value and make it easier to sell. Ratings will vary between types of properties. Period and older properties may be G or F and new build properties will be higher. The EPC recommends actions to improve your home’s energy efficiency and indicates the potential rating for the property.

For every householder who gets an EPC with an F or G rating, the Green Homes Services will make an offer of discounted help with energy efficiency measures. This service will be provided by the Energy Saving Trust and will offer advice on everything needed to make your home green as well as directing you to available finance options. For more information visit the Energy Saving Trust website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Before you put your home on the market and pay for an Energy Performance Certificate, why not first get a free DIY Home Energy Check. It will show you how to make cost-effective improvements to make sure your home is rated as highly as possible. Complete one on-line at:

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/homecheck

Or call us free on: 0800 512 012

May 2008