Your home in North Abingdon has been designed to reduce the C02 emissions associated with providing the required heat and hot water to run the home. This has been achieved by:
- increasing insulation above and beyond the standards required by Building Regulations
- using best practice on-site construction details which significantly reduce 'thermal bridging' and reduce air leakage through the fabric of the home
- using double glazed windows with a u-value of 1.6 W/m2K.
To further reduce the energy used in your home, other than for heating and hot water, the following provisions have also been made.
- Providing dedicated low energy light fittings. These use around 80% less energy than traditional light bulbs and can save between £3 and £6 per fitting per year on your energy bill. As these are dedicated fittings, it won't be possible to insert the more traditional bayonet or screw fitting light bulbs but low-energy bulbs are readily available from most supermarkets and DIY stores.
- Providing sufficient drying space to minimise reliance on tumble dryers
- Providing information on energy efficient appliances
- Providing energy efficient external lighting (when required)
Other environmental features of your home and the overall development include the following.
- An Ideal Logic combination boiler
- All insulation materials used have a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) rating
- The vast majority of materials are supplied from responsible sources
- Cycle storage to minimise the reliance on cars
- Water collection butts installed to each property
Further tips to save
- Heating: Too warm? Don't waste your money - turn your thermostat down by 1°C. It could cut your heating bills by up to 10%. And if you're going away for winter, leave the thermostat on a low setting to provide protection from freezing at minimum cost.
- Hot water: Of course, it should be hot, but it doesn't need to be scalding. For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing.
- Use your gas boiler in the summer, rather than your immersion heater.
- Curtains: Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
- Lights: Always turn them off when you leave a room and adjust your curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible during the day.
- Televisions, videos, stereos, computers, and cordless phones: To cut down on wasted energy, avoid leaving appliances on standby and remember not to leave them on charge unnecessarily. But check the operation manual to make sure that this won't reset the appliance's memory.
- Fridges: Don't leave the door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape. Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge; allow it to cool down first. Defrost your fridge regularly to keep it running efficiently and cheaply. If it tends to frost up quickly, check the door seal. And if you absolutely must place your fridge next to a cooker or boiler, leave a good gap between them.
- Washing machines and tumble dryers: Always wash a full load and if you can't, use a half-load or economy programme if your machine has one. Always use the low temperature programme, bearing in mind that modern washing powders will be just as effective at lower temperatures. And don't put really wet clothes into a tumble dryer; wring them out or spin-dry them first. It's much faster and will save you money.
- Dishwashers: Try and use the low temperature programme and ensure you wash a full load.
Things to remember
- It's very important to make sure that any appliances, including cookers or boilers, have enough ventilation to operate safely
- Do not block up existing air vents or grills, they are there to ensure that there is enough ventilation
- Make sure any chimneys and flues being used by appliances which burn fuel (gas, coal, oil, wood etc) are regularly swept and checked for blockages
Additionally, you could save water by:
- Getting any leaks fixed (a tap dripping at one drip/second will waste 51 litres of water a day)
- Plug it: Always put the plug in your basin or sink. Leaving hot water taps running with the plug out is literally like washing money down the plughole.
- Boil only the amount of water required to make a drink.
- Keep cool water in the fridge rather than running the tap.