(Source: Daily Record; Glasgow (UK))
EMMA Thompson, an energy efficiency expert at power firm E.on,
said: "Simply watching your "energy wasteline" can have a
considerable impact on the amount of electricity and gas you use -
and this can have a positive effect on the environment and
yourenergy bills."
Her top 10 power saving tips are:
1 Switch it off. Don't leave electrical equipment charging or
switched on unnecessarily. Appliances waste up to 70 per cent of
their energy on standby.
2 Use a Powerdown plug.
These cost about pounds 12 and will switch off printers, scanners
or speakers linked to your computer when you shut down and
automatically power everything back up when you switch on again.
3 Insulate the loft. A quarter of household heat is lost through
un-insulated roofs. Adding 270mm of insulation will save up to
pounds 100 a year.
4 Insulate walls. Un-insulated walls lose up to a third of the
home's heat. Cavity wall insulation can cut costs by pounds 235
annually.
5 Turn it down.
Nudge the central heating down by just 1C to save 10 per cent on
your power bill.
6 Wash at 30C. You will save a huge amount of energy - and
clothes will be just as clean.
7 Use the washing line. Ditch the dryer when the weather is good
enough and be up to pounds 15 a year better off.
8 Mind the gaps. Seal draughty spaces around skirtings, doors and
windows to save up to pounds 52 a year in lost heat.
9 Buy better bulbs.
Energy-efficient light bulbs use up to 80 per cent less
electricity and last six times longer.
10 Replace appliances. When you need a new fridge-freezer get an
"A" rated model - they cost up to pounds 45 a year less to run.
(c) 2009 Daily Record; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
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