1. Lofts and walls
UK homes lose enough heat through roofs and walls to heat around three million homes a year. Nearly 50 per cent of all domestic heat escapes this way. Loft insulation can save around a third of your heating costs. Cavity wall insulation reduces heat loss by 60 per cent and saves from £130 to £160 a year.
2. Draughts
Twenty per cent of heat loss is via ventilation and draughts, so invest in draught excluders around doors and windows.
3. The boiler
Sixty per cent of domestic CO2 emissions come from old boilers. An energy-efficient condensing boiler can cut heating bills by a third. Combined with upgraded heating controls, it could save up to 40 per cent. Insulate your hot water cylinder – and you’ll cut wastage by three-quarters.
5. Windows
A fifth of all heat loss can be through single glazing and poorly insulated window frames. Double glazing can halve heat loss and save £80 to £100 a year.
6. Light bulbs
Normal light bulbs use up to four times more electricity than energy-saving bulbs. An energy saving bulb can save you up to £100 over the bulb’s lifetime.
This article first appeared in the Ecologist November 2007
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