Energy Saving Week – The Facts

January 17th is the start of Energy Saving Week. Running until the 23rd, this national campaign aims to raise the awareness of ways to save energy and help people cut their energy bills. With the energy bills cap set to rise by £500 in April this year, you’re sure to agree how important and helpful the Energy Saving Week campaign could potentially be. With both the ecologically and economically friendly benefits of saving energy, there are very few downsides, if any, to following the tips and advice given out by the campaign. Who would say no to a fatter wallet and a thicker ozone layer? In case you need more convincing, here are some facts and figures about energy usage. Energy Costs Energy is one of the biggest annual costs for UK families and households, with industry regulator Ofgem putting the average yearly cost at £1,277 (not counting the £500 hike that’s coming). With money being an increasing concern, you’ll most likely want to find ways to cut this considerable amount down. Energy Usage People use the most energy between 6 and 9pm, with 8pm being the peak usage time. It makes sense; they’re back from work, the lights go on, heating is turned on if it’s winter, especially if the house has been empty all day. Add to the fact that it’ll also be time to make dinner, you’ll want to relax with some TV or boot up the laptop/tablet/games console, and maybe even put some washing on if you’re feeling particularly productive… the list never ends. You can instantly see why a huge surge of energy usage happens in the evening, it’s almost unavoidable, especially in this day and age with the increasing amounts of gadgets and technology that we use on a daily basis. We’re constantly using Wi-Fi Internet, charging our phones and many other devices. Device Dependence In 1990, an average house of four would use an average of four energy using devices. That’s four devices for the entire household and would most likely consist of essential items, plus a possible TV. In today’s living habits that converts to just a smartphone per person, which would be considered minimalist. In the 21st century, specifically as of mid-2021, the average household now uses up to and over 6 times the amount from 1990, peaking at 25 devices, which is over twice the estimated 11 devices back in 2019. This is all according to the survey in this article, and although the US is the reference in this case, you can be sure the UK isn’t far behind, given our similar lifestyles. The Energy Consumption in the UK (ECUK) report stated that in 2017, the average four occupant home contained at least 13 electronic devices and it’s sure to have shot up in these last 5 years. Of course some of this will be thanks to the pandemic, with working from home and home schooling via video call software like Zoom and Teams seeing an increase in electricity and internet usage. You’ll also miss out on the free heating or air conditioning from work, most likely using more energy on heating in winter and fans in summer whilst you work from, and spend more time in your home. Though we use more devices compared to the 90s, the energy usage is still roughly the same. Meaning that thankfully all of these devices are more energy efficient – but there’s still a lot that can be done to maximise that efficiency. Saving Electricity Saving electricity can range from simple steps like flicking off the plug switch on unused devices, to investing in newer more energy efficient appliances (look at the energy rating when purchasing, A+++ is the best you can get whilst G is the worst). Doing this will replace the older, more power-hungry appliances and save you more in the long run. Don’t forget energy saving light bulbs! It’s definitely worth saying no to standby mode, another seemingly small difference that can add up over time. Even on standby some devices can be a real energy drain. So unplug that laptop, fully power down that Xbox, and switch off the TV at the wall when you can. Doing this will save you an estimated £40 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Saving Gas and Heating Again, upgrading your appliances is one of the best ways to go. Though expensive, you really do get a return on investment worth considering. You can also install a smart meter to help keep your eye on your usage and give you more overall control. For example, turning heating down by only one degree can end up saving you up to £80 a year How DGS Can Help You: Double Glazing As double glazing and repair specialists, we at DGS can provide both alternative and complementary solutions to your energy saving woes. Investing in double glazing can save you up to £110 a year on heating bills by insulating your home from the cold. The more insulated your home is the less you’ll need to rely on having the heating cranked up. You also have the added benefit of stronger windows and noise cancellation. Plus, added value to your home if you end up selling in the future. Gaskets and Seals To complement your windows, we also sell gaskets and seals. Draught-proofing your property is highly recommended for saving energy as it stops both heat escaping and cold, unwanted draughts invading your home. Gaskets are thin strips of rubber that are placed in between the glass panel of a window and the uPVC frame, they provide a weatherproof seal that will protect you from the elements. They will also provide protective cushioning as well as sound and vibration reduction. Like anything in life, gaskets can be subject to wear and tear over time. If you already have gaskets or seals that aren’t doing their job properly, we can help identify the type you need and perform an upgrade. It’s important that something like a gasket is applied correctly as if not done by a professional, it can cause more problems/damage to your window frame. As well as gaskets, we sell wool pile draught excluders which can easily be cut to shape and fitted around your internal and external doors. These will also save energy, reducing heat loss and protecting your home against wind and snow. For the full range of seals, click here. Start Saving Today We hope that you’ve been inspired to think about ways you can make your energy usage more efficient and enjoying the benefits of doing so. For more advice, feel free to contact us.

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