Money & energy saving tips for the home

There are many things we can do in our daily lives that will help reduce the running costs of our homes and in the process reduce our carbon footprint as well. Often it's simply a case of getting into new habits.

Here are more than 20 tips to consider:

1. Equipment on stand-by uses up to 20% of the energy it would use when fully on. When an appliance is not in use, turn it off fully. Buy an extension lead with a single off switch - some are even remote controlled!
2. Using one unit of electricity in your home releases twice as much CO2 as one unit of gas and it is twice as expensive. Electrical elements use the most electricity, such as those in the oven, kettle, electric bar heaters, hot water cylinder, etc
3. When boiling the kettle, only fill with as much as you need each time. Emptying the kettle overnight reduces scale build-up, keeping the element efficient and your hot drinks tasting better.
4. Change electricity companies to those providing renewable sourced electricity, like Airtricity. They are cheaper and you help the planet by forcing the main electricity supplier to buy their wind generated electricity.
5. New kitchen appliances carry an energy rating label which rate energy efficiency on a scale from A - G. When buying new appliances look for A rated products which are more energy efficient so cost less to run. 
6. Do not under or overload appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. A 40°C rather than 60°C wash cycle cuts electricity use by approximately a third. (Modern washing powders and detergents can work equally effectively at lower temperatures.)
7. When possible, run washing machines and dishwashers after 8pm when rates are cheaper and the demand on the grid is less. 
8. Defrost your freezer regularly to save energy and extend the operating life. Freezers need not be set to the highest setting either. Find a setting that works for your home.
9. The use of renewable technologies (such as solar water heating) avoids the harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production.
10. Halve your running costs quite easily. Find out where you are loosing heat or wasting energy in your home, so that you can implement a plan of action to rectify it as your budget allows. Each improvement made will save you more money and many don't cost that much either. See the Ecodev Eco-audit options for more information.
11. Sheltering of the home through external obstacles can further reduce the impact of adverse weather conditions on the home as cold winds draw out the heat from the house.
12. Mature trees, hedges or structures on the northern side of the home protects against driving rain and winds in winter and do not reduce solar gain or light into the home. To be effective, these obstacles need to be as high as the insulation in the roof and the distance between the obstacle and the house is not to be more than 5 times the height of the roof insulation level.
13. Showering for more than 5 minutes (each person) removes the cost effectiveness of the shower if the hot water is not supplied through solar panels.
14. Lowering the temperature of the hot water cylinder saves 10% for every degree. Do not set it lower than 60 degrees, otherwise Legionnaire's desease could cultivate. Alter this temperature setting with the change in seasons, if needed.
15. Servicing your boiler regularly keeps it at optimum efficiency, saving fuel.
16. Keeping the oil tank more than half full lessens evaporation space in the tank, thereby saving fuel. Keeping this tank shaded by shrubs, boundary fence, etc  keeps it cooler thereby further reducing evaporation rate.
17. Closing the chimney when not in use prevents the warm air from escaping. there are many options available fom fitted dampners to temporary chimney balloons. Of course a stove is more than twice as efficient in heating as an open fire and a stove can be closed when not in use. You also use about half the fuel that you would in an open fire.
18. Have your chimney cleaned regularly. Not only is this a safety precaution, but the chimney will draw properly, giving you better heat form the fire.
19. Place down draught protectors onto the chimney pot. This improves the draw of the chimney and prevents smoke blowing into the room.
20. See the rest of the Ecodev blogs for specific cost saving measures.
21. Line curtains to help keep the heat. Open them during the day to allow the sun in and close them at night to keep in the heat.
22. Make use of the grants available through SEAI to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Remember, saving energy = saving money.