Energy Performance for Buildings in Scotland – Basics Explained
When we talk about the ENERGY PERFORMANCE of our homes it relates to how energy efficient the surroundings are which we live in. There are many ideas we can implement as individuals within our homes, some of them for a minimum cost, whilst bringing notable benefits.
The energy we use in our homes is responsible for 27% of Scotland’s CO2 emissions — the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Before you embark on any major changes consider 1st if at present your home is currently wasting energy. Is it literally flying out the door or through the gaps in those ill fitting windows? If so you are throwing away hundreds of pounds every year in energy bills. Below are some simple changes you could make which would bring dividends to the ENERGY PERFORMANCE in your home.
Make sure your home meets these sustainability goals that all reduce CO2 emissions and help to tackle climate change and if not it’s time to make those changes:
-Change all normal light bulbs to energy saving ones
-Get your roof insulated or re-insulated if it’s either too thin or too old to be doing the job properly.
-Insulate hot water cylinder and lag hot water pipes to preserve energy.
-Stop draughts by filling any gaps in windows/door surrounds-leaving just enough air for ventilation to prevent condensation building up.
-Try where possible to install short flush or low capacity cistern (as a 3rd of the water we use in our homes is for flushing of toilets)
-Collect rain in a water butt for watering garden etc.
-Monitor room temperatures and adjust heating thermostat accordingly(if you are away at the weekend do you really need the heating on ALL weekend?)
-Bleed your radiators as often as they need-this is something many of us are guilty at not checking, but it makes a great deal of difference to the heat generated within the room.
Below we highlight on some of the changes that can we made as detailed above to give a better ENERGY PERFORMANCE in your home.
Cut your demand for electricity — and cut your lighting bills by up to 80%.
Inefficient lighting wastes electricity — low energy lamps make a big difference because they use much less electricity and last up to 12 times longer than traditional light bulbs. They cost more to buy but cost much less to run. You can now buy lamps with LEDs (light emitting diodes) as well as CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps). The savings on energy and CO2 emissions are so great that it’s worth binning your other bulbs now!
Insulate your roof
Houses built since the 1960s usually have some insulation in the roof — but it’s much thicker in more modern houses. Older houses often have none at all, or it may be damaged and ineffective. Check your loft space and bring your home up to modern standards — you may be able to get a grant or your energy provider may offer to install insulation at low cost. Even lower storey flats can benefit if the roof is insulated.
By simply insulating your hot water tank hot water will stay hotter for longer therefore wasting less energy.
Hot water cylinders should have solid foam insulation fitted in the factory or an insulated cylinder jacket. If the cylinder is bare or the layer of foam is so thin that it gets hot, fit an 80mm (3″) insulating jacket. Make sure to fit the jacket snugly around the pipes in and out of the cylinder for a distance of at least 1m (3′3″).
Draft exclude doors and windows
This is something that is relatively easy simply by using rubber sealants and such like around door and window frames. Repair window frames and check that windows open easily for rapid ventilation — release any that are painted shut, replace sash cords for sliding sash windows. For upper storey windows only do this yourself if there are hinges that allow you to remove the window sashes safely, with no risk of falling.
Summary
By actually being aware of your surroundings and what’s available on the market to improving upon the ENERGY PERFORMANCE of your home is the 1st step. Taking action is the 2nd and in implementing as many of the aforementioned with home improvements to prevent energy loss. The 3rd is watching those energy bills come down as a result and in doing so helping to preserve our planet.
If we all made at least some of the changes think how Globally this would help the ENERGY PERFORMACE of our buildings in our environment.
epcseo
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