WebOctNov17

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