Energy efficiency improvement steps

peustace

I'm wondering what do people think would be 'easy wins' (ie cheap to implement) in a newish build house when trying to make their home more energy efficient?

So far I have some of the obvious items either thought of or planned -
1) changing to CFL / LCD bulbs
2) Installing an electric thermostat timer
3) Installing an immersion timer
4) Installing a stove instead of a an open fire
5) A+++ appliances
6) Thermostatic radiator valves (but not sure if this is warranted in a new house)

Any else people thing would be worthwhile adding to the list?

freddyuk

Insulation/insulation/insulation
Programmable room thermostat for each zone
Draught excluder to any leaky doors or windows
Cylinder blanket
Energy monitor

fclauson

To add to this if you are heating your water by immersion then
A look at night rate
B defiantly look to getting a timer
C think about an alternative heat source

You could also install a balloon in the chimney BUT remove it when using the fire(it be obvious if you fail to do so !!

Are you on town gas ?

peustace

Hey, all good stuff so far.

Few questions - what benefit would an energy monitor give? Is it just for observing your current energy demands thus allowing you to then adjust your usages?

No, I'm not on gas line. Oil central heating and immersion.

Any one use TRVs? Are they of any use in a new home?

Also, I'd like to get something that allows you to control your central heating remotely from a smartphone - ie turn on central heating from the car while returning home after a weekend away. Ideally not Climote as you are tied to a monthly subscription.

freddyuk

peustace wrote: »

Hey, all good stuff so far.

Few questions - what benefit would an energy monitor give? Is it just for observing your current energy demands thus allowing you to then adjust your usages?

No, I'm not on gas line. Oil central heating and immersion.

Any one use TRVs? Are they of any use in a new home?

Also, I'd like to get something that allows you to control your central heating remotely from a smartphone - ie turn on central heating from the car while returning home after a weekend away. Ideally not Climote as you are tied to a monthly subscription.

An energy monitor will focus your attention on the actual usage because you will tend to look at it several times a day and want to find out what is using so much energy. By default it will reduce the overall usage. Also you can then check which appliances are using too much and do something about it. If you get the version with plug sockets which can be remotely controlled you can check/control any appliance remotely. By using the immersion in summer you will not be heating the water from boiler to cylinder for 30 minutes and then letting that cool down in the pipes (wasted heat). A monitor can let you see this as will adding a remote temperature sensor to your cylinder so you can heat enough for your needs - not necessarily the whole cylinder. 45c is enough for showering so why switch on until it all gets to 60c?
Is your freezer on too long? Check the temperature. If it is set too low it will be on for no purpose and is on 24/7 at 150 watts when cooling. It should run for about 3 times per hour for about 5-8 minutes. A monitor will check this. An A rated freezer may be on for less time.
Use an instant water heater for cups of tea? Or don't fill the kettle for one cup. The list is endless.
TRV's are a way of controlling the temperature in each room thus avoiding over heating a room you do not use or need "hot" such as a bedroom. If your system is not zoned the heating will be on until the room thermostat turns it off but all radiators will be controlled by same thermostat in possibly the hallway? TRV's are comparably cheap but need fitting but it is an easy DIY job. One radiator needs to be controlled from the boiler.
Zoning the house so you can control the temperature in different areas is the best option using programmable room stats. and TRV's will fine tune each room but this will require some re piping and may not be easy as a retrofit job.
If you use a "climote" instead of decent programmers you are spending money on a gimmick and may be letting the place go stone cold and then want to heat it up again. A programmer will keep it at a set temperature during several times of the day you can set. When you get home you just need to boost it for a while or set the programme as close as you need so evenings it will be 5-10c higher than the daytime. There are weekend and holiday settings too. You can get external temperature control also. It has all been thought of so using a "smart" phone is really not necessary unless you have money to burn.
Using the improved insulation the temperature you set will be kept in the house so actually not expensive to maintain.These are cheaper options. Start with the cheap options and see how it goes.