Using Gas Efficiently In Your Home
There are many ways to use natural gas around your home. You save money and help the environment if you use it efficiently. Enjoy the convenience of this clean and versatile fuel by following some simple advice.
Environmentally friendly natural gas
Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel. Switching to natural gas reduces the levels of sulphur, particulates and carbon dioxide in the air. Compared to other fossil fuels, natural gas burns with minimum waste and emissions.
How to reduce the amount of gas you use
You can make a big difference to the amount of gas you use and save money if you follow these useful hints. If you require assistance with any energy efficiency matter we can help you over the phone or send you our Energy Efficiency Booklet. Just call 08454 55 55 55 to speak to one of our trained staff.
Useful hints
Check your room temperature
Don't open doors or windows to cool a room. Instead, control the temperature with Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs). You could save up to 10% off your heating bill if you reduce the temperature by 1ºC. Try to reduce the temperature gradually until you find a comfortable level. It takes a few hours for your whole house to change to the new temperature.
Check your hot water temperature
Have a thermostat fitted to your hot water system. You can set this to make sure you don't heat water more than necessary. The normal temperature for hot water is 60ºC. If your thermostat is marked in numbers, first set it to the middle position and then adjust it until you reach a comfortable temperature for washing up or bathing.
Avoid paying too much for hot water
Make sure your cylinder's insulating jacket is at least 80mm (three inches) thick and meets all relevant British Standards. If you have a thin jacket on your cylinder, add a second one over it. Ensure all hot water pipes are insulated. Simply buy 'pre-formed insulation' from a reputable builders' merchant or DIY store.
Control your central heating
Only switch on your central heating when you need it. This saves money and avoids wasting energy. Most people set their timer to give heat 30 minutes before getting up in the morning. If your house is empty during the day, set the timer so that radiators go off 30 minutes before you leave, and come on again 30 minutes before you come home in the evening. Set it to switch off 30 minutes before you go to bed. We give general advice on your choice of boiler. If you have any further questions about your heating system, contact your installer or appliance manufacturer. Avoid burst pipes in winter. If you are away from home for a long time, program your heating to come on a few times a day, and set the thermostat to low.
Don’t heat rooms you don't use
In unused rooms, make sure radiators are turned down low. Shut doors and windows. Air the room occasionally and check for condensation or mould. Don't turn off the radiator next to a room thermostat. This gives a false idea of the temperature in the rest of the house. If you use gas heaters or fires, save money by turning them off if you leave the room for any length of time. Natural gas heats a room very quickly once the appliance is switched back on.
Don't let heat escape
Don't open windows when your heating is on. If your house is too warm, turn the heating down. If you need more air, open the door to that room. Consider installing double-glazing and draught-proofing doors. This saves you money and makes your house more comfortable. Heavy lined curtains are excellent at retaining heat. Make sure they don't over your radiators. Use curtains with heat-reflective, insulated lining.
Potential savings
Upgrade your boiler - £100 to £150 a year
• Make sure your boiler is efficient and serviced regularly, according to the manufacturer's specifications, by a CORGI registered engineer.
Insulate loft - £60 to £70 a year
• The recommended thickness is 150 mm (6 inches). Make sure you follow instructions carefully.
• Remember to insulate your hot and cold water pipes.
Update boiler controls - £30 to £60 a year
• Boiler controls work with TRVs to keep a set temperature.
Fit programmable room thermostats - £20 to £25 a year
• This lets you set your heating system to suit your lifestyle.
• If you would like more control, choose a thermostat design that allows varying temperatures for different times of the day.
Draught-proof - £10 to £20 a year
• Fit draught-proofing strips to outside doors, windows, trap doors and skylights. Use materials with the BSI kitemark.
• Use a specialist contractor. You must ensure enough ventilation for gas appliances to operate safely and efficiently, according to Gas Installation & Safety Regulations and manufacturer’s instructions.
Fit a Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) - £10 to £20 a year
• Fit a TRV to each radiator to control the temperature in each room.
Use a hot water thermostat - £10 to £20 a year
• Have a thermostat and control valve fitted to your hot water cylinder.
Fill gaps in floors & skirting boards - £5 to £20 potential saving
• Carpet underlay reduces heat loss.
• Insulate suspended floors with mineral wool laid underneath the floorboards.
• Fill any gaps in wooden floors and around the skirting boards with wood filler.
Put foil behind radiators - £5 to £10 a year
• Radiators fitted on outside walls lose some heat to the outdoors. Reflective foil behind them keeps the heat in.
Grants are available in some circumstances. Contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on freephone 0800 512012 for the latest information on schemes like the Warm Homes initiative.
Energy efficient gas appliances
Some of the latest gas appliances are now over 90% efficient. Along with following the advice above, using these appliances mean you can make significant savings around your home.
• Compared to an ordinary boiler, you save up to 40% energy by installing a high efficiency condensing gas boiler.
• Modern gas fires can be up to 79% efficient. You must make sure that gas appliances and central heating systems are checked regularly by a CORGI-qualified engineer. Contact us for advice. We can provide a list of installers offering gas servicing work.
