Practical Home Energy Saving
Updated: 28-May-2008
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Saving Heat

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Miscellaneous Heat Saving Information

A lot of the information below is aimed at reducing draughts and it is vital that rooms remain properly ventilated, especially when they contain boilers and fires. If in doubt get professional advice.

Chimneys
If you live in an older property with unused chimneys make sure they are sealed, a lot of heat can be lost up an open chimney.

Doors
Doors to the outside can be a big source of heat loss and draughts. Use draught proofing strips to minimise draughts and don't forget the keyhole. A simple key hole block can be make from a disc of thin metal (you will be amazed at the benefits of such a small change) - remember for maximum effect fit a disk to both sides of the door and don't leave the key in the lock.. Where practical a good heavy curtain drawn over the door works wonders. If the door has glass in it make sure it is double glazed ( even if it is only secondary double glazing. The bottom of the door can be sealed using a screw on 'brush strip' available from most DIY stores. Fit an insulating flap to the inside of letter boxes - these flaps can be obtained from most DIY stores and are not expensive.

Floors
To minimise heat loss through ground floor floors use good quality thick underlay under carpets and in the case of wooden floor make sue they are sealed against draughts from below (it is important there is proper under floor ventilation so make sure air bricks and vents are not blocked up). Seal gaps around pipes and cables coming up through the floor. A common cause of draughts is where electric and gas mains enter the house through the floor.

Garages
Probably an area with the most draughts and heat loss. The ideas below can have a big effect if the garage is part of the house. The door(s) are usually poorly sealed so fit draught proofing strips to the top and sides and a rubber strip to the bottom of the doors. The sides of up and over doors can be effectively sealed below the pivot point using 'brush strips'.

Radiators
Radiators mounted on outside walls can lose a lot of the heat through the wall, especially if there is no cavity wall insulation. A simple way to reduce this loss is to fit reflective foil and insulation behind the radiator. Rolls of combined foil and insulation can be obtained from most large DIY chains, it is very simple to fit without removing the radiator. A more effective solution is to mount radiators on insulating boards (this moves the radiator further away from the wall) with a reflective foil surface. Placing a small shelf above the radiator also helps since it means the heat tends to be forced more into the room rather than just rising up the wall - leave a gap of around 25mm to 50mm to allow the heat to get out. Where radiators are situated beneath windows make sure that curtains are not hanging over them.

Walls
External cavity walls should be insulated, it does cost money but the cost will be repaid over a few years and make the house more comfortable to live in. Deal with any damp spots on walls, a common cause is soil bridging the damp course. Make sure all gaps around pipes and cables passing through external walls are sealed on both sides of the wall.

Windows
These are often another source of draughts, use draught proof strips to reduce them. If there is only single glazing consider using secondary double glazing if it is not practical or cost effective to fit proper double glazing. Secondary glazing works especially well with metal framed windows. Doing this will also help reduce condensation. The use of heavy curtains will also help considerably - make sure the curtains are not hanging over a radiator. Close the curtains at night even if the room is not in use.


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