Ways of saving energy in the home

By Helen Coburn

Shut the doors, close the curtains and switch off the lights. This is the advice from the Irish Energy Centre. No, they are not encouraging you to shun the world. Just to save some money by being more energy efficient.

According to the centre, Irish consumers could collectively save more than £50 million a year by saving some energy. The Home Energy Show is one of the focal points at this year's Our House exhibition which opens today (Thursday) in the Point Theatre.

According to Joanne Geary from the Energy Centre, the cost difference between an energy efficient home and an inefficient one can be up to £400 a year. At the exhibition, the Energy Centre will be co-ordinating a number of seminars on topics such as planning and building an energy efficient home and heating systems.

The Energy Centre points to some simple ways of making considerable savings without any extra expense. For example, most hot water thermostats are set at around 75Ž0C but in mild weather 60Ž0 is hot enough. Your timer can be used so that hot water is switched on for the minimum amount of time and also at the most appropriate time for your family.

Showers generally use only half as much hot water as baths, so they should be used whenever it's convenient. A lagging jacket is one of the best ways of all of conserving hot water; just make sure that yours fits properly, especially around the top. Gaps and tears make it very much less effective. And don't forget to repair those leaky taps - a dripping hot tap can run to over £10 a year in extra costs.

Kitchen tips

Try to cook more than one item in the oven where possible.

Heavy casserole pots, in which you can start a stew on your hob and then continue at a fairly low temperature in the oven, can also save you money. Don't use very small saucepans on large rings - those red coils around the edges of your pot are money wasted.

A kettle is more efficient than heating water on the hob and the toaster is more efficient than the grill.

A microwave is a cheaper way of heating and re-heating food.

Keeping fridges and freezers defrosted ensures much more efficient performance.

Always wait till you have a full load before you switch on washing machines and dishwashers.

Additional long term savings can be made in energy costs for a modest sum. For example, you could purchase special energy saving bulbs for areas such as landings and stairs where lights tend to be left on for long periods. A thermostatic mixing valve can be installed on your shower to ensure a suitable and consistent temperature.

If you don't have time switches on central heating boilers and hot water tanks, it is worth having them put in. Time switches can be put into the plugs of heaters in kitchens and bedrooms and set to come on before you get up in the morning and to go off around the time you normally leave the room.

Greater reductions in heating costs can be achieved by installing proper wall and attic insulation and by double glazing. If you can't afford this level of short term expense, consider fitting certain doors with self-closing devices. Simple draught excluders and foam strips can greatly reduce the heat lost around doors and windows.

Quick tips

Start a campaign for the switch off of unnecessary lights.

Close all doors to maximise the effectiveness of room heating especially where it's spot heating such as electric fires.

Check your windows and floors for draughts and seal where necessary.

Close your curtains before temperatures start to drop, to keep your rooms warmer.