DIY Video Channel

Attic Insulation

By insulating your attic well, you can save up to 20% on your home heating bill.

If your attic insulation is currently less than 200mm, then you should add further layers.

Hot Water Cylinder

Uninsulated hot water cylinders should be insulated with a properly secured lagging jacket. A jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep your water hotter for longer and will pay for itself in 2-3 months. All exposed pipe work coming out of the cylinder should also be insulated.

Pipe Insulation

Pipe Insulation is pre-slit to enable easy application. It’s ideal insulation for frost protection and energy conservation.

Timers

Make sure to use the timer on your immersion heater. Timers can be used to provide hot water home heating at specific times to avoid excess use of energy. Use timers on lamps to provide not only added security to your home, but also to ensure electricity is only being used when you need it.

Turn Down Thermostats

20°C is an ideal room temperature. Turning down the room thermostat by 1 degree Celsius can reduce house heating energy consumption by 10%.

Leaking Taps

Repair leaking taps, especially if they are hot taps. Make sure to turn off water taps fully after use.

Lighting

Most energy efficient lightbulbs, such as CFLs and halogen lightbulbs, are available in various configurations and although they cost more to purchase, they are far more energy efficient thus reducing electricity costs.

A new halogen lightbulb uses 30% less electricity and it lasts twice as long as an ordinary incandescent lightbulb.

A CFL lightbulb uses 80% less electricity than an equivalent incandescent lightbulb. It lasts ten times longer.

Replacing 3 x 100W incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs using 3 hours of electricity per day can save an average household up to €43 per annum.

A new halogen lightbulb uses 30% less electricity and it lasts twice as long as an ordinary incandescent lightbulb.

A CFL lightbulb uses 80% less electricity than an equivalent incandescent lightbulb. It lasts ten times longer.

Replacing 3 x 100W incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs using 3 hours of electricity per day can save an average household up to €43 per annum.

Room Heaters

Make sure when purchasing electric heaters that they are the right size for the rooms they are to heat. A small heater will be suitable for a small room, but in a larger room it would be more efficient to have a larger heater which would take less time to heat the room. Choose a heater with thermostatic controls and a timer if possible.

Quick Tips

There are so many simple Energy Saving Tips you can do around the house

Fridge Freezers should be positioned in a cool place, not next to a cooker or a boiler. If possible they should not be placed where they will be exposed to direct sunlight. Adequate ventilation space should be left between the coils at the back of the fridge and the wall, because if these coils overheat, the efficiency of the fridge will be reduced. Don’t leave the fridge door open for longer than required and make sure to close it properly. Don’t put warm or hot food straight into the freezer, let it cool down first. Regular defrosting of fridges and freezers saves energy as well as extending their operating life.

The Washing Machine cycle selected should have the lowest water temperature required for the items being washed. A full load of washing is more energy efficient than two half loads.

Did you know that a Television in standby mode can use up to as much as half the electricity as when it is switched on?

The Toaster is more energy efficient than the grill for toasting bread.

A Microwave Oven is more efficient than an ordinary oven.

Take a Shower rather than a bath. A typical shower uses only one fifth of the energy of a full bath.

Configure your Computer to "energy saving" mode which will automatically change it to the state of low consumption. Switching off the screen can save even more than just letting the screen saver run. Turn your computer off at night instead of leaving it on. All of these little tips will save you money on the electricity bill.

Stop the Dishwasher before the drying cycle and open the door to let the dishes air dry and always use the economy button where possible.

So make sure you take every opportunity to Save Energy & Save Money with these energy saving tips in your home.