
Energy in our homes is one of the biggest causes of emissions in the UK. Combined with the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy prices, heating our homes has become a huge issue.
Top Tips to Try
- Check if you qualify for any funding for home energy improvements. Grants and loans often come in limited waves, so it’s good to check frequently.
- Seek advice from an energy advisor. My local one South Seeds gave me some very useful advice about saving money while using our ineffective old storage heaters. Have a look online to find your local energy advisor.
- If possible, consider changing your supplier to a more eco-friendly one such as Octopus Energy or Ecotricity
Resource of the week: The Energy Saving Trust’s How to Save Money On My Energy Bills. They have a whole range of other useful resources on their website that can help you reduce your heating bill.
This week’s task: Fix your drafts
- Locate any drafts in your home! There are several different methods you can find online to do this such as lighting a candle and holding it near where you think the draft is coming from and if it flickers you have found a draft! Or if your energy supplier or local tool library lets you borrow a thermal imaging camera you can use this to locate drafts and cold spots. The biggest culprits are windows, doors, attics and chimneys.
- Things like replacing old single-pane windows can be expensive so in the meantime you can look into cheap ways to fix drafts and help insulate your home.
Some other resources about sorting drafts:
- Energy Saving Trust: Cutting Out Drafts From Older Homes
- Energy Saving Trust: How to Draft Proof Your Chimney
- Historic Environment Scotland: Draft Proof Your Property
- Centre for Sustainable Energy: DIY Draught-proofing
What are you doing to reduce your environmental impact?
Our Outreach Officer, Jess, tried last week’s task and said this:
“I reduced my laptop brightness from 50% to 40% and it extended my battery for an extra 2 hours whilst in a Zoom call and it charges half hour quicker. I was so happy!”
If you are doing something to be more sustainable at home or work make sure to submit it, email: marissa.trimble@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk