Waste not want not this Energy Saving Week
Energy Saving Week 2009 starts today! Organised by the Energy Saving Trust, the theme of this year's week is wastefulness in Britain. How wasteful are Britons with our time, money and energy?
Energy Saving Week 2009 aims to show that it really can be easy to make a difference to your pocket as well as to the planet. In celebration, everyone who places an order at the Good Energy Shop during Energy Saving week will automatically be entered into our prize draw to win an exclusive Waste Not Want Not energy saving pack worth over £100.* The brilliant energy-saving products included are the brand new Current Cost energy monitor, 10 HeatKeeper Radiator Panels, an EcoButton, a Good Energy Jute Bag and an Ecosavers Standby Control Starter Kit.
To help us all out, the Energy Saving Trust has put together some simple steps to take over the next seven days so you can stop wasting and start saving straight away...
Monday - launch day
Today is launch day, so we reckon the best thing to do is: get planning. Find out what's happening to celebrate Energy Saving Week in your area by contacting your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012. Ask them for easy-to-do tips or in-depth energy saving advice. Go online find out more.
Tuesday - warmer homes day
Insulation not the sexiest topic but, as around half of a typical home's heat loss is through the walls and loft, it's worth checking whether yours are properly insulated.
Around 13 million UK homes could benefit from topping up their loft insulation. Amazingly, if everyone in the UK installed loft insulation it would save nearly three million tonnes of CO2 per year - the equivalent saving of taking nearly one million UK cars off the road.
Similarly, if everyone in the UK that could fill their cavity walls did so, they'd shave around £700m off the nation's annual domestic energy bills - that would pay to heat 900,000 homes for a year.
Wednesday - smarter driving day
Not all shorter journeys by car can be avoided. To reduce CO2 emissions, use the Energy Saving Trust smarter driving techniques - they could save you up to 15% off your annual fuel bills. Some simple tips include: removing roof racks, boxes and bike racks and checking tyre pressures regularly to reduce fuel consumption.
Thursday - Switch off/turn down/turn off day
Lots of ways to save energy cost very little, or even nothing at all! For example:
- Switch off standby - the average house can save £33 a year by turning things off. Households in the UK now spend up to 8% of their electricity bill on standby power.
- Turn down - reducing your heating thermostat by 1°C when you are too warm can cut up to 10% off your heating costs. The thermostat on your hot water tank should be set to 60° C or 140° F - it is not necessary to set it higher than this.
- Turn off - Remember to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth - a running tap wastes over 6 litres per minute.
Friday - Buy better day
This Energy Saving Week if you're looking to replace an old appliance, follow these simple rules:
- Look for the logo - There's no need to compromise on functionality to be more energy efficient. Many of the latest and most sophisticated consumer electronics carry the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo. Research these before you shop: Find out more about Energy Saving Recommended products.
- Integrate - fewer products means less electricity so buying an integrated digital television, which combines a TV with a digital receiver, is good for both your pocket and the environment. Ask in store for info on a product's energy consumption, standby power usage etc.
For more interesting facts and figures on how every little bit of effort can make a lot of difference, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
Don't forget to check out our blog, Green Energy Republic, where you'll find more daily tips and advice to help you reduce your energy usage.
*Only orders placed between Monday 19th and midnight on Sunday 25th October 2009 will be entered into the prize draw. One entry per order. Winner will be drawn at random and notified by email by 6th November 2009. No alternative prize available.