Whilst some of the best savings might invlove the installation of a new energy efficient control system, there are some things we can all do to ensure we are doing our best to minimise our carbon footprint, and with it our energy costs. Below are just a few. If you have any innovative ideas or tips/tricks to save energy, use the contact us page to suggest them, and we'll post some of the best up here.
Turn your thermostat down:
Set your room thermostat to 19 degrees and no more. It's a comfortable temperature to sit or work in, and for every additional degree you heat your building, you will use an average of 8% extra fuel. Conversely, for every degree you reduce tour heating, you will save around 8%
Don't over-use your lighting:
So many places have lights switched on all day out of habit. Switch them on only when you need them. Also make sure the lamps are clean. Fit energy efficient lamps. These are often available either free or subsidised on promotions. Consider having occupancy (PIR) sensors which switch on the lights only when people are in the room, and only when the light level is below a certain level.
Insulate!
Whilst cavity wall insulation and couble glazed windows will save energy and will pay back, less expensive options are to make sure your hot water tank and loft are well insulated. Check your local council for grants.
Maintenance:
Have your boiler serviced regularly. Have your heating controls checked and set by qualified engineers. Our engineers often find such things as incorrectly set frost thermostats, causing the heating to run unnecessarily at night when nobody is there. Tamperproof thermostats are a great idea too. Often we go to site and find a thermostat set too high, heating the room to a temperature so uncomfortable that the staff open a window! Incredible but true.
Take time to learn how an energy efficient control system could save you money. Reading our 'tutorial' page is a good place to start.