4 December 2009, 09/288
Keep the cold out of your home and save
money!
Is your home ready for the winter? Why not make some home
improvements this Christmas and save money too!
Last year the UK suffered from the coldest winter in 13 years so
West Lancashire Borough Council is offering energy saving tips and
advice that don’t cost the earth! Plus, making your home more
energy efficient will save you money too - which is even better in
the current recession!
A poorly insulated house can loose up to 60% of its heat through
the roof and walls. Yet insulating your loft and cavity walls can
save you at least £100 in reduced bills a year and will help the
environment.
The good news is that there is funding available to residents
who want to make these improvements.
-
Our utility companies are working together with
Home Insulation Services Ltd and the Government’s Warm Front
initiative to provide you with free or subsidised home insulation
and heating, depending on your personal circumstances. To find out
if you qualify visit www.warmfront.co.uk
(external link) or contact freephone 0800 0121 804
- The Low Carbon Buildings Programme provides grants for
the installation of micro generation technologies in a range of
buildings including households, community organisations and
non-profit sectors. To find out more, visit www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk (external
link)
- Visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
(external link) and use the Energy Saving Trust’s grants and offers
search facility to find out about schemes in your area
Cllr Martin Forshaw, Portfolio Holder for Planning and
Transportation, said: "Given the rise in energy prices, the issue
of climate change and people feeling the pinch of the recession, we
think it’s important that people take some isteps to help the
environment and save money too! By following our advice, you
can help reduce your energy consumption and the amount of
carbon dioxide emissions polluting the atmosphere, which is one of
the biggest contributors to climate change."
Some simple tips you can do at home to save energy and money
include:
-
Buy energy efficient appliances - including light bulbs!
- Only fill the kettle with as much water as you
need
-
Dodge the draughts and cover up gaps underneath doors and
letterboxes
-
Don’t leave appliances on standby
-
Switch off lights in unoccupied rooms
-
Turn down the thermostat - 1 ‘C can save you £60 a year
-
Take showers instead of baths to conserve water and heating
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