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54 | www.westendermagazine.com Homes & Interiors by Susan Robertson © The Glasgow Shutter Company Powering our homes efficiently With the imminent onset of our Scottish winter, Susan Robertson looks for some of the best ways to keep warm, for less.
www.westendermagazine.com | 55 Quick Tips 1. Switch off lights in empty rooms 2. Use low energy light bulbs 3. Use daylight – keep windows and skylights clean and clear 4. Turn off electrical appliances – don’t leave them on standby 5. Wash clothes at a lower temperature 6. Set the heating thermostat at 18 degrees (costs rise by 8% for every degree increase) 7. Keep radiators clear – don't block with furniture 8. Draught-proof doors and windows 9. Install loft insulation (ideally 200mm, if less than 100mm, top it up) 10. Install double or secondary glazing. This is the time to be thinking about how we prepare our homes to give us the best protection from the elements, but also to be considering how we can play our part in looking after our environment, and making the most efficient use of the resources we have. There are some great resources online for the best ways to do this and organisations like Home Energy Scotland can talk you through options and suggestions. They will do a free Home Energy Check over the phone to give you a good starting point for where savings and efficiencies can be made, and will also be able to advise you on reputable suppliers and any available loans or financial incentives available to you. If you have a business, there are also excellent resources available to help you save money and reduce waste. Resource Efficient Scotland, part of Zero Waste Scotland, offers interest-free loans to small businesses to allow investment in this area. In general, for our homes, there are two main factors to consider – your energy systems themselves, and the fabric of your home to make most efficient use of them. Firstly – consider your energy system. Is your boiler in need of a service, or does it need upgraded? If changes are needed, could you consider a different approach? There are really accessible renewable energy sources now, is it worth considering some solar panels, do you have plenty outside space for a small turbine? Keep an open mind and make sure you make use of the expert advice available – if you’re considering an investment of any size, you may be able to make further savings in the long run if you look at contributing to your own energy needs. Depending on the type of home you are blessed with, there will be different ways to reduce energy wastage and keep warm for less. There are some key big areas to think of first. If you’re in a house, consider the roof in the first instance as heat is often lost through this route. It’s important that you have really good loft insulation as a starting point. You can also consider further insulation into walls and floors depending on the construction of your home. Another culprit for heat loss is the windows. If they can be upgraded to quality double or triple glazing, this will make a massive difference. If you have traditional sash and case types, or your building is listed, you can make big improvements by getting an expert to maintain these for you. Aging putty and wood can be repaired, glazed sections replaced and experts can provide full draught-proofing for traditional windows. You can also consider adding secondary glazing inside the windows. This can be practically invisible but a great idea for traditional windows or dealing with condensation issues. The other possible option here is to consider having shutters installed, these can be elegant, and also practical in traditional buildings. But even if you’re not in the market for big changes
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