Ten ways to save fuel
FACT: The energy used by the average home creates 7 ½ tonnes of
CO2 each year. That’s about the weight of two elephants! You can
reduce this simply by following the ten steps below:
1. Shut the curtains at dusk
Make sure that they don't hang in front of the radiators or the
outside wall. The window will benefit from the heat instead of the
room.
Use thick curtains that are thermally lined. Or get a second
pair of curtains from a charity shop to act as lining material.
Put up secondary glazing - DIY polythene or rigid glazing kits
are relatively cheap and easy to install and perform almost as well
as permanently fitted double glazed windows.
2. Insulate your hot water tank
This will only cost about £10 and you'll get your money back in
under a year. Set the thermostat on the hot water tank to 60°C /
140°F. It's cheaper to heat your hot water in the summer from your
central heating system than using an electric immersion heater.
3. Radiator shelves and reflectors
Put radiator reflectors or kitchen foil behind the radiator, and
a shelf above it. This will ensure that the heat is reflected into
the room rather than being lost to the wall or the ceiling. Tests
run in the London Borough of Hackney a couple of years ago
demonstrated that the panels provide 10 per cent more useful
heat into rooms.
Radiator reflector panels are inexpensive and can be obtained
from East End Energy Savers.
4. Room heaters
If you need an individual room heater for additional heat, or if
you do not have central heating, the most efficient type is a
thermostatically controlled convector heater with timer.
Don't use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) heaters if you can avoid
it as the amount of water they emit into the atmosphere can make
your home at risk of condensation. Use of LPG heaters is prohibited
in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets properties due to
the health and safety risks.
5. Freezers and fridges
If you have a big freezer keep it full or else you'll be wasting
money on keeping an empty space cold. Fill up any large gaps with
containers filled with water - old ice cream boxes or plastic drink
bottles are ideal. The frozen water will help to keep the rest of
the food cold.
Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly to ensure they run
efficiently. When loading up the freezer or fridge don't keep the
doors open for long or the cold air will escape.
6. Cooking
Cooking by gas is cheaper than cooking with an electric cooker.
A microwave is cheap to use. So if you have one use it to pre-cook
food.
Choose the right size pans for the food, and keep the lids on
when you cook - this will reduce condensation as well as energy
use.
7. Washing machine and tumble dryers
Wash full loads of washing where possible. Use the half-load
button for smaller loads. Use a time clock to make use of the
cheaper rate of electricity if you have Economy 7 or other off peak
tariffs. Dry clothes outside whenever possible.
If you buy a new machine make sure it is an 'A' rated, energy
efficient model, this will save money on your electricity bill, as
will selecting a low temperature washing cycle (40°).
8. Lights
Switch all lights off when they are not being used. Buy a low
energy light bulb. They use 1/4 of the electricity of normal bulbs
and last 8 - 10 times as long.
Even though low energy bulbs are more expensive than normal
light bulbs they are a good investment. You will get your money
back in terms of electricity saved in the first year.
There are several schemes available to give you cheap or even
free low energy lights. See our leaflet 'Energy Efficiency
Grants and Offers for Householders' (pdf)
9. Room thermostat
If you have central heating and you are too hot, turn down the
room thermostat rather than open the window.
Use recommended settings - 21°C if located in the living room or
18°C if located elsewhere.
10. Make sure you apply for grants you are entitled to
If you own your own home or rent from a private landlord and are
in receipt of a means-tested benefit you may be entitled to a Warm
Front Grant.
This provides energy efficiency measures such as loft
insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, hot water
tank insulation and low energy light bulbs.
If you're over 60 you may also be eligible for a grant to cover
heating system improvements and security works.
The council's energy services unit runs the East End Energy
Savers scheme which is the local agent for Warm Front Grants.
Contact us for an appointment to register your grant application
and complete the energy grant home survey.
Related Services
How to contact us
Private Housing Improvement Team (PHIT)
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY
Tel: 020 7364 2521
Fax: 020 7364 2533
Email: energy.services@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Open: Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm