Water Saving Tips in our Newsletter

With spring here and summer hopefully on the way, what better time to think about how you can save water in the home?  Our greenCHAT newsletter looks at this as its headline topic this issue.  Have a read to pick up some tips and also find out what's new on our main website since the last issue. 

This Summer, Prepare for an Energy-Efficient Winter

Thanks to ever-raising energy bills, there has never been a more economical time to start taking steps towards making things a little more energy-efficient in the home. While there are simple ways of reducing your home’s energy output (unplugging appliances, taking baths rather than showers etc.), many people fail to notice the real energy consuming culprit in the home - the heating circulator pump.

Installed into every household, many homeowners don’t even realise that it’s there! Heating circulator pumps are used to move hot water from the boiler to heating devices around the home such as radiators, and are generally used during colder months. Swapping old circulator pumps for a new energy-efficient model this summer will help you to save both money and energy once winter rolls around. We spoke with the experts at Anchor Pumps to find out the benefits of switching pumps this summer.

Benefits of Switching this Summer:

1. Save Energy & Money
The majority of heating circulator pumps installed in British and European households are D-labelled circulator pumps. Replacing an old D-labelled pump with a new energy-efficient A-labelled pump will help to save energy in the home as an A-labelled circulator uses up to 80% less energy – meaning that your energy bills should drop too as a result!

2. Keep in Line with Changing Legislation
Last year, the European Union introduced new legislation for energy using products. The new legislation, which has been enforced as from January this year, means that only the most energy-efficient heating circulator pumps are to be used. Switching to an energy-efficient A-labelled pump will ensure that your home stays in line with the legislation requirements.

3. Only use Energy when you need it
Pump manufacturers Grundfos have taken things one step further with the introduction of an innovative AUTOADAPT feature. Found in Alpha Grundfos Pumps, the AUTOADAPT feature automatically adapts to the individual hot water consumption pattern within your home – meaning that the circulator pump only runs when hot water is needed.

4. Quick Installation
One of the benefits to switching your heating circulator pump in the summer is that, as many people associate heating pumps as a requirement for winter, the majority of installers will have appointments available to install your circulator pump now – and as it is not peak period, the installation cost may even be cheaper than it would be in winter.

Guest post

Get Camping!

Here at UK Energy Saving we love camping for its fresh air, freedom and fun and to top it off camping can have a low carbon footprint too.  If you haven't been camping in a while or have never given it a try, then why not go for it?  There are campsites to suit all budgets and needs and you'll definitely be in for a relaxing and enjoyable time.  If you have children they'll love it too; running around outside, having adventures and making new friends. 

We've put together a few points below for you to think about...

The Kit
If you don't already have camping equipment, research the kit that will suit you and your family best.  If you are just dipping your toe in the water, perhaps look at going somewhere you can hire a tent or caravan before making an investment.  Otherwise, choose a tent that will last and will suit your needs.  You'll also need plenty of other bits and pieces for sleeping and cooking, so again, shop around and try and consider the materials etc. as well as the price. 

The Campsite
There are hundreds of campsites to choose from, so consider what facilities you feel you need.  Personally I look for decent shower facilities, flattish pitches and not much else!  We love the simplicity of basically sleeping in a field, but there are sites to suit every taste.  Below are a couple of websites you might like to look at for ideas.
Cool Camping
UK Campsite
Camping & Caravanning Club

Also consider buying (or borrowing from a library) the Rough Guide to Camping which has a section on equipment as well as details of loads of campsites.

So you've got the kit, booked a site and are ready to go!  Enjoy!!

Do You Want to Save Energy This Summer?

If so, check out our latest article, entitled 'How Can I Save Energy During the Summer?' The article contains some useful household tips including making sure your home is insulated.  Read it via one of the links below:

UK Energy Saving
Amazines

Energy Saving Tips that fit into your Lifestyle

Many people around the world strive to live a more energy and cost efficient lifestyle. The lure of lowering costs and the potential to make a positive impact upon the world is too much for many people to resist. However, the initial time and fund consumption of implementing such changes can serve to put many people off the idea of living a greener life. Here are a few tips depicting ways in which the green-conscious individual can make effective energy efficiency changes to their property without putting too much strain on their personal life or their wallet.

Slowly, Slowly LED Bulbs
The energy efficiency of the LED bulb is far higher than that of the more traditional halogen bulb. The average 8 watt LED bulb emits the same amount of slight as a 65 watt halogen counterpart. This equates to the LED bulb being more than 8 times as energy efficient as its halogen brethren. Although the LED bulb has the higher initial cost, the long-term savings are significant and attractive.

Rather than getting the whole family involved in a grand-scale switchover, gradual replacement of bulbs allows the original bulbs to maximise their usage. LED technology has developed at a staggering rate in the last 50 years and there are now products available to work in compliance with almost all fittings. This makes it simpler to replace your spotlights with energy efficient LED downlights.

Knowledge is Power
Pursuing an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can help property owners understand the potential energy efficiency of their property. The EPC indicates the energy efficiency of the property and the improvements that can be made with various installations. A professional surveyor will be able to indicate the changes, small and large, that can benefit the property’s energy efficiency.

With this knowledge, the property owner can decide which changes will fit in with their lifestyle and the lifestyle of their co-habitants.

Intelligent Insulation
There are many materials that can be used to add insulation to a property. Many materials that are due to be thrown away from the property can be recycled into insulation. Wood is the perfect example of a material that can be turned into cheap and energy efficient insulation. Pulping a wooden staircase into a spongy insulation can work as insulation for the replacement stairway. 

This works twofold as the recycling of wood saves the output costs of investing in new insulation. Secondly the insulation can help retain heat and cut energy costs.

Use Natural Resources to their Fullest Potential
Why pay for water when so much falls from the sky? Building a drum connected to the pipes of a property can collect water to be used to water plant life or wash cars. This can reduce the monthly costs of running water.

Guest post

Green Product of the Month

If you are looking for an energy efficient replacement for your halogen light bulbs, check out our Green Product of the Month for May.  The GU10 LED NxtGen Series II Dimmable Bulbs have been reviewed on our site, so you can see what we thought.

Energy Watch - EthicalKidz

EthicalKidz are featured on our Energy Watch page this month.  Find out more about the ethical and sustainable toys available from this UK company.