A poorly insulated home costs money. You can reduce your fuel bills by carrying out the following measures:

• Top up the loft insulation to a depth of 27 cms
• Lagging the hot water cylinder and pipes in the roofspace
• Install cavity wall insulation
• Install heating controls
• Use condensing boilers where possible or a high efficiency boiler

If you are a private tenant or an owner occupier you may be entitled to a grant to carry out some of these measures. Those owner occupiers who do not qualify for a grant can apply for various cashback schemes to meet the costs of some of these measures.

Further information on grants/cashbacks and free energy advice is available through the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512012.

Noel Rice, Energy Efficiency Manager in the Housing Executive said,

“There are some basic but effective steps that can be taken to keep warm this winter and also reduce heating and electricity bills. These cost very little to do. Being energy efficient is not only good for the environment but it is also good for your purse.  Making small changes to your lifestyle and being aware of how to make these savings can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint.”

Simple tips that cost very little or nothing are:

Throughout your home…

• Close curtains at night to keep in the heat
• Keep internal doors closed to reduce draughts and don’t block the radiators with furniture
• Never leave hot water running
• Turn off unnecessary lights
• Electrical appliances on standby could be costing you up to £100 per year – turn them off!
• Fit low energy light bulbs – they use around one fifth of the electricity of a normal bulb.
• Fit shelves above radiators to deflect heat into the middle of the room
• Draught proof letter boxes and gaps at floor boards

And in the kitchen…….

• Only use the amount of water you need when boiling the kettle (cover the element of an electric kettle)
• Use a toaster rather than the grill
• Wait until you have a full load before using washing machines, tumble driers or dishwashers
• Defrost fridges and freezers regularly

And finally …..

• Use the shower if you have one, rather than the bath (electric showers which heat water instantaneously are very expensive to run and should be used with care)
• Never leave mobile phones on charge overnight and
• Make sure your computer equipment is completely switched off and plugs out

For more information on energy saving visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/energywise Or freephone the energy saving Trust 0800 512012

‘Going green’ and looking after and caring for the environment, in a sustainable way is not always easy. With modern society increasingly living busy lives, and with many lower barrier to entry alternatives available, the majority of us opt for the easier options, particularly if the homes we buy or rent have already energy choices available.

Although typically fossil fuels are the energy source of choice for the majority of homes in Northern Ireland, this doesn’t have to be the case. Governments have long recognised this difficulty, and currently provide various grants for sustainable projects to encourage us to be more green.

Take 21 Gallagh Road, Toomebridge, a stunning family home situated in the Antrim countryside, which has taken the green challenge and come out triumphant.

The home was constructed with the overall aim of reducing the Carbon footprint from the outset, with one of the more interesting aspects of the environmental strategy overall for the home – the addition of a wind turbine, as you can see from the images below.

Electrical generation by means of 6Kwph wind turbine manufactured by Proven and mounted on a 15m mast. For year ending the 27th September 2010, the earnings from the wind Turbine were £577.61, showing that you there’s not only environmental benefits, but financial ones to going green as well.

The overall running costs of the home come in at an impressive £8.24 per week for a home with over 250 m². of space.

Other steps taken to increase the environmental potential of the home can be found below:

Construction

Cavity wall insulation increase to 150mm ( normal is 60mm)

Roofspace insulation increased to 300mm

Ground floor insulation increased to 125mm

All double glazing to doors and windows utilises argon filled with K glass heat conserving glass

Services

Domestic hot water by 2no. Roth F2 Solar panels of 4.36sqm linked to a 300 litre twin coil cylinder

Space heating by means of under floor heating to both ground floor and 1st floor (solid construction) using a 12Kw air to water Heat Pump by Alpa-Innotec

Air circulation by means of a Drimaster 2000 unit Positive input ventilation unit.

A wonderful modern example of green living.

1.  Energy MOT

Perform a free home energy check online at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk – just answer some simple questions about your home and they’ll supply you with an impartial report detailing how you could save energy and money.  The EST website is also packed with energy-saving information, including details of government grants available to help with the cost of energy efficient home improvements, whether it’s a wind turbine or just some extra loft insulation. Don’t forget that all homes for sale or rent in Northern Ireland require Energy Performance Certificates.

2.  Ban the bill

Switch to direct debit and paperless billing.  Many companies – gas, water, electricity, telephone etc. – offer discounts for customers who choose a paperless billing service, which basically just means that you’ll receive your bill and any correspondence about your account via email instead of in the post.  As well as scoring you some all-important money off your bill, you can sleep a little easier knowing that your carbon footprint has shrunk!  Paying by direct debit is another potential way to get some discount and obviously saves on any hassle because you can be sure the bills will get paid on time.  A word to the wise, though; try and resist the temptation to leave email bills unopened in your inbox – you should still open them and give the itemization a once over to ensure it is correct.

3. Switch off lights.

This is such an obvious one and yet not always easy to remember.  Try to get into the habit of switching off lights as you leave a room and resist the urge to leave lights burning in hallways, porches etc. unless it’s absolutely necessary.  If your kids insist on a nightlight, consider switching to a low-energy LED solution for safe, long lasting and cheap light.  Making the switch to energy saving light bulbs will also help to cut your electricity bills and is kinder to the environment as the eco-friendly ones have a much longer lifespan.

4.  Standby and deliver

These days many appliances such as TVs, DVD players, stereos etc, have a standby button which means that when you switch them ‘off’ they go into a sort of power saving mode – but crucially, they are still connected to the power source and still consuming energy!  Switching these items off at the wall when they are not in use – at night, for example, could save you a surprising amount of money, not to mention improving your home’s fire safety.  The same applies for mobile phones and other items – avoid leaving them plugged in for longer than it actually takes them to charge fully.

5.  Crank it…down

Turn your thermostat down – reducing the temperature by just 1˚C could reduce your heating bill by ten percent – typically a saving of £55 in a year.  The optimum temperature for a living room is 18-21˚C, although a higher temperature may be required for babies and the elderly.  The most efficient way to run your heating is generally to use it only when needed, rather than leaving it switched on all the time, so make good use of your heating timers.  Set it to come on shortly before you get up in the morning, or before you get home from work, but make sure it’s off when nobody is home or when you’re all tucked up under duvets – and during chilly winter weather, switch to a thicker duvet for extra snuggle factor!

6.  Boiler TLC

Look after your boiler – make sure it’s serviced regularly by a professional to ensure safety and efficiency as well as avoiding expensive emergency plumbing call-outs.  If your boiler is more than fifteen years old, chances are it’s past its best; replacing it with a highly efficient new model could save you a packet each year – it’s estimated that some older boilers are only around 65% efficient whilst new models have around 90% efficiency.  Take advice from a qualified heating engineer to find the model that best suits your home and lifestyle.

7.  Bleeding love

There’s no point in having a super-efficient boiler if your radiators are backed up with air so make sure you bleed them regularly.  You can tell your rads need some attention if they heat unevenly or make excessive noise.  This will ensure that each one operates at full capacity, heating rooms more quickly and wasting less fuel.

8.  Let it breathe

Speaking of radiators, you’d be amazed how many people spend a fortune making sure theirs are piping hot, only to stifle them with furniture and heavy curtains!  Make sure you leave enough space in front of radiators for the heat to circulate properly into the rest of the room – 12 inches should be enough and this will also protect your furniture from heat damage, especially wood and leather which can dry out and crack if placed too close to a heat source.  Curtains are great insulators but they can prevent heat from getting into the room so tucking them down the back or leaving them open while the radiators are on is a good idea.  You can then close them to keep heat in.

9.  Sunny side up

Make use of natural sunlight by keeping curtains and blinds open during the day.  Sunlight on glass is a great and totally free way to heat a room so make the most of it – you should also leave the doors open so that heat from the warmer rooms can circulate into the rest of your home.  At night, when heat is quickly lost through exposed glass, use lined curtains to keep heat in.

10.  Wrap it up

Top up your insulation.  The required level for loft insulation in new build homes is 300mm so if your home has less it’s worth topping up to reduce your fuel bills even further.  If you live in an old house with no loft insulation, you may qualify for a grant to have it installed.  The same applies if your home has no cavity wall insulation; most homes built after 1920 have cavity wall construction (which means the external walls have a double-skin construction with a space between them) but for those with unfilled cavities, up to a third of the heat lost from that property escapes through the walls.  Having insulation installed could save you up to £115 each year.  Finally, everyone needs a good winter coat – and your hot water tank is no exception.  Making sure yours is fitted with a nice new, thick jacket will keep your water hotter for longer meaning you have to use less fuel when it comes to all that festive washing up!

11.  In hot water

Most modern boilers will have a thermostat for hot water as well as central heating and you should ensure that yours is set no hotter than 60˚C – this is more than adequate for household use whether bathing or washing up.  Any hotter and you risk wasting energy and money, not to mention burns and scalds from too-hot water. A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t really need to use the cold tap much (if at all) when taking a shower.

12.  Don’t be a drip

It’s all too easy to ignore a dripping hot tap – after all, how much water could it possibly waste?  The answer is…a lot!  A dripping tap could half fill the average bath in just one week which is a waste of both water and money, so make sure you get yours fixed and that they are fully turned off when not in use.

13.  Appliance science

Choose energy efficient appliances.  You may not be able to survive without a plethora of household helpers, but choosing washing machines, tumble dryers and fridge freezers with a good energy rating can cut your bills significantly.  Top rated appliances cost more initially but are often of a higher quality, which means they have a longer lifespan and will save you more money during that time.
Appliances are rated from A-G with refrigeration products also capable of achieving an A+ or A++ rating.  The difference is substantial; the average A++ rated fridge-freezer costs on average less than £14.04 to run each year, compared to a G-rated appliance, which could cost in excess of £60 over the same period.  An A-rated dishwasher should cost less than £18.72 a year, while it’s G-rated equivalent could cost you more than £40. (Source: www.which.co.uk)

14.  Use it or lose it

Make your appliances work for you.  Make sure your washing machine and dishwasher are actually full before you put them on and carry out regular cleaning and maintenance of filters etc. to ensure a top-notch performance.  Most modern washing machines are packed with features, so make use of economy programs, half load options and remember the laundry mantra – if it’s not dirty, wash at 30!  Even your humble kettle can get in on the energy-saving act – only boil the water you need.

It has just been revealed that householders marketing their home without an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when government officials undertake visits next week will face fines of up to £1,000.

The Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) will be carrying out a series of spot checks at properties being marketed for sale or rent in a bid to see if an EPC is in place.

EPCs, which rates energy efficient on a scale of A to G, became a legal requirement for all residential properties for sale or rent last year.

However, this announcement is the first clear sign from the DFP of enforcing the legislation and penalising those householders or landlords who don’t have an EPC.

Local estate agents have already received a letter from the department spelling out its intention to impose penalties on those who don’t comply with the requirements.

“We intend undertaking follow-up visiting during the coming weeks,” said the letter adding the department was of the view “sufficient time has elapsed since the introduction of the regulations”.

The apartments will have photovoltaic roof panels which convert sunlight into electricity and will be some of the first public funded homes in Northern Ireland to satisfy the new Code Level 3 environmental impact rating system.  The Code has been designed to encourage sustainability and increase energy efficiency.

The apartments will be available only to people over the age of 55.  The scheme has been praised by Housing Minister, Margaret Ritchie.  ”The delivery of highly energy efficient and sustainable public sector housing is a key priority for my department, especially given the volatility in energy prices and living costs.” says the Minister.

Oaklee and MMM Design & Build have considered everything, right down to the planting.  Mr Brian McVeigh from MMM Design & Build said his company was “also focused on providing highly efficient internal and external fittings”.   “Waste management and recycling is another key design feature with internal storage bins within each apartment allowing the recycling of three types of waste.”

The effects of all these eco-friendly measures are estimated to produce a 25% improvement in CO2 emissions over traditional building regulation requirements.

Following Minister Sammy Wilson’s decision to block a government advertising campaign on climate change, Stormont’s Environment Committee has passed a vote of no confidence, by six votes to four. 

Leaving a less than pleasant atmosphere in Stormont,  some are accusing members of using this as a forum for political point scoring, many of Wilson’s peers and experts in climate change are appalled by his comments.  Environment Chair Patsy McGlone confirmed ahead of yesterday’s meeting, that she had no sympathy with Minister Wilson.

It appears that Mr Wilson’s comments that the adverts were part of an insidious propaganda campaign, are only the tip of the iceberg.  A leading expert on fuel and energy and a former consultant to the government has revealed details of an e-mail from Mr Wilson stating that claims that fossil fuels would run out are “nonsense”.

Following a request from the Green Party’s European candidate, Steven Agnew, Mr Wilson’s actions will be discussed in Brussels next week during a plenary session of the European Parliament.  Mr Agnew stated “Sammy Wilson is entitled to his own views, but he is not entitled to ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence that man-made climate change exists.”

These latest comments from Mr Wilson have further fueled the fire, sparked off last summer when he announced that he would vote against the government’s Climate Change Bill.  It appears that Minister Wilson’s credibility in the political and scientific world has all but evaporated.   So far Mr Wilson has resisted all calls for his resignation.

Click below to view one of the advertisements from the blocked campaign. 

The Green Party amongst others have called for the Ministers removal from office stating that he has made “a laughing stock out of Northern Ireland.”  Brian Wilson of the Green Party has said of Minister Wilson,”He is a climate change sceptic. We have got to take all measures we can to reduce our carbon footprint. Mr Wilson does not agree with that.”

Minister Wilson defends his position stating that the advertising campaigns were ”giving people the impression that by turning off the standby light on their TV they could save the world from melting glaciers and being submerged in 40ft of water”.  He states this is ”patent nonsense”.

Minister Wilson wrote to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), stating that the campaign “was not welcome”.  He does not believe in its message that ”man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the main cause of climate change”.

Whatever Minister Wilson’s own belief’s are, his blocking of this campaign has caused many of his peers to call for his removal.  Tommy Gallagher, SDLP, accused Mr Wilson of “political sabotage of an important public awareness campaign”.  Friends of the Earth Director, John Woods has registered his disbelief at the Ministers actions calling them “Completely Irresponsible”. 

Despite Minister Wilson’s departmental website claiming that it takes a lead on climate change issues, Mr Wilson has told Whitehall that such messages will only be promoted within Northern Ireland on his say so.  

Many of the Minister’s peers are questioning his decision, is this based on personal opinion or consultation?

The map has been designed to increase awareness amongst the general public, local authorities, utilities and other organisations of the probability of flooding and to encourage them to be better prepared and take appropriate action.

There are many considerations to factor in when moving to a new area or home.  With the noticeable changes in climate over recent years home owners are becoming increasingly aware that flood risk is another factor to consider when purchasing property.  Minister Gildernew said “In recent times we have seen the damage which flooding can do and the major disruption and distress that it can cause.  Flooding is a natural phenomenon and these experiences highlight the need for better management of flood risk.”

The number of properties within Northern Irelands river and coastal flood plaines is around 45,000, however many of these have a minimal likelihood of flooding due to their elevation or position in relation to flood defences.   For further information on the Flood Map, or to view it, visit the Rivers Agency’s website or click the following link. www.riversagencyni.gov.uk

SOURCE: NORTHERN IRELAND GOVERNMENT NEWS

The Chairman of the EAC, Tim Yeo has called for a review of government targets, stating that they were set in a time of ‘economic optimism and easy credit’.  Last year Gordon Brown announced that he wanted to build 2 million new homes by 2016 and a further million by 2020.  In light of the current economic conditions the EAC has called for a radical review of these targets.

Mr Yeo has added “The government needs to ensure that in the current market downturn, an excess of land is not made available to developers which could lead to greenfield land being developed in preference to brownfield.  Once greenfield land is released for development, this land will be lost forever.”

Senior campaigners are calling for targets to be revised to ensure that we recycle brownfield land and bring back into use empty buildings before building on green fields.

Margaret Beckett, Housing Minister has responded to calls to revised the targets by saying “We have shown we can build the homes that are needed whilst protecting the environment and preventing urban spraw.  Now is not the time to scale back on long term ambitions because of economic difficulties”

Source: The Guardian

With the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates earlier in the year, if your buying or selling a property, you will be even more aware of the implications of having a more energy efficient home.

Northern Ireland recently unveiled its first A-rated house.  The property which is located in Holywood, Co.Down is the regions first carbon neutral home.  The property was built by Sky Developments, who should be praised for their use of new technologies in producing a self sufficient home.

Although the property has a price tag in the region of £700k it will save the owners thousands a year in fuel costs alone.  It is claimed that the property will not incur any gas, electricity or heating bills as all its fuel requirements will be generated through eco technologies such as solar panels.  In fact the builder claims that the Electricity board will actually owe the home-owner money at the end of the year.

The property will also benefit from being exempt from rates under the governments new scheme, carbon neutral homes are zero rated.  Whatever your primary concern, saving money or the environment, the government is clearly trying to encourage builders that this is the way forward in residential property development.   A home that pays for itself, whichever way you look at it.

SOURCE: BELFAST TELEGRAPH, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL NEWS