Eco Friendly House And Garden

Some simple tricks can stop your heating bill spiralling out of control and wasting all that energy!

Remember visiting you grandparents house and there were a few things that you didn’t have at home that you thought were funny.  Well some of them were totally eco friendly and we never took them on board.

Nans had these funny things as there wasn’t such a thing as central heating, so all of these were used simply to keep warm and stop cold draughts blowing aroundthe house.

Now of course, they can save energy, money and the environment too - so maybe I can take you on a walk around my nans house and see what you can do today.

Plastic Sheets: 18% of heat is lost through your windows.
In the colder rooms that weren’t used so often had tight plastic sheets taped over them on the inside.  Double glazing was unheard of so putting in your own secondary ‘glazing’ was the way to go.

If you didn’t want to open the windows through the winter, then why not seal them up for the colder months.  These days of course you can buy actual double glazing, retro-fit secondary glazing - or even buy an eco friendly equivalent of the old plastic sheeting called Eco Glaze which is acrylic sheets that are attached to your window with magnetic strips so you can put them on or take them off when you want!

Maybe even consider triple glazing in bad areas or just the leakiest window!

Giant Velvet Curtain: 15% of heat is lost through doors.
My nan had the most amazing thick red curtain on the back of the front door.  It was on a great big rail and it was more than twice as wide as the door and at least a foot too long - great for hiding behind!

By making sure that there was more than enough curtain to block any breezes made it all the more worth having.  I mean if you are fitting a curtain in the first place, it’s a bit pointless if it is too short or too thin.  Spend the extra pennies and get it right first time.

Maybe consider fitting a simple porch to buffer the outside and inside spaces.

Long Tube Of Socks:
Along the bottom of the lounge door when we were all sitting inside was a handmade tube of old socks and rags.  I suppose it could be made into a comedy sausage dog if you sewed ears on!

It was the perfect way to stop draughts coming under the door when you were heating just the one room.  Just like today - when you have the log burner on the go in the one room, keep all the heat in there too.  Modern equivalents can be plates you screw on to the bottom of you door with a furry edge - but I quite like the idea of making my own sausage dog!

Over-Patterned Rugs:  8% of heat is lost through floors.
Now, you don’t have to go an buy a bright swirly rug or a heavily-pattered dark red rug to stop cold air coming through your floorboards!

These days you can fill the gaps on old floorboards with man-made natural fillers, buy nice plain rugs in all sizes, or fit carpets with thick underlay to make sure that your home stays warm!

Maybe consider fitting underfloor heating if you are having other work done in your home.  This is a much more efficient way to heat your home than traditional central heating and means you can put your furniture where you want it rather than having to fit it around huge radiators…….. 

So, go round to your great aunts house or your friends nans and check out their energy and money saving tips!

I know that net curtains are a bit old fashioned these days - but they protect what’s inside!

So, how about a modern alternative: Blinds.

In winter, an uncovered glass window is just asking to let heat escape 24 hours a day.  So why let it?  Here are some great benefits and tips for modern window coverings - and it’s not just about heat either, but we will start there:

1) Escaping Heat:
If your window isn’t protected from the inside, all the heat from your room is going to head for the outside.  Nature likes to keep everything equal, so if the nice warm air can get outside and mix with the colder air - it will, just like cordial mixing into the glass of water.

If you don’t give the warm air a chance to get cold - all the warm air will stay in your home and keep your fuel bills down.  Blinds and curtains are the equivalent of insulation in your roof: without them the heat just escapes!

Close your blinds as soon as it gets dark outside to trap most of the daytime heat inside.  

2) Letting In The Sun:
In summer it is quite the opposite!  You want all the sunshine you can to come in the windows - flooding your home with warmth.

A net curtain in the way could be a hindrance to this - so blinds are perfectly designed to roll completely out of the way - allowing you room to fill with the sun’s rays - and keep your home warm into the evening.

Use natures power when you can! (and it’s free!)

3) Security:
Closing your window blinds when it’s dark outside is also essential for good security.  Once you lights are on and it’s dark outside - everyone can see straight into your home - with all your electrical goodies on show.

Walking in the streets when it’s dark is a great opportunity for thieves to ‘case the joint’.  They can see everything you are doing - and more importantly - they will know when you are not in!

4) Privacy:
Linked to above, but for those people who have a window actually on the street front - you don’t want people looking in, but you don’t want to shut out the sunshine - so why not fit a half-blind at head height. 

Alternatively you can now order blinds that open from the top rather than the bottom.  Ideal for letting in the light without letting in the nosey parkers!

5) Conservation:
Sunlight and UV rays can damage precious materials and paintings over time, so sometimes you would want to block out the light when it is directly shining onto a certain piece of furniture or art work.

Net curtains won’t do the trick and full curtains will make the whole room pitch black - however blinds can be adjusted to cover only the articles you want to protect, letting the rest of the room stay in sunlight!

6) Style:
And finally - why should saving energy be boring?  It isn’t, you just have to look in the right places.

There are many suppliers of trendy, fashionable, traditional, plain, black-out, bamboo and wood blinds, either fitted into the frame for extra heat and light control, hanging loose - so you can still peak around them, or top opening for privacy.

So, maybe consider using blinds to save money, save energy, protect your property and look great!

What Are The New Light Bulbs All About?

There has been much debate in the news about the new CPL light-bulbs that are being forced upon us by the government to lower Carbon Emissions.

Some would say that we need forcing as they are more energy efficient than the old incandescent light-bulbs we know and love - but others say that they have some serious down-sides which may take years to sort out!

So, what’s what?

Compact Fluorescent Lamp’s (CFL’s)    
These new light-bulbs are appearing all over the country - and they look odd!  They generally take the form of chunky tubes bent into various square-ish forms and should fit into all standard light and lamp fixtures.  Basically they are a scaled down version of the strip fluorescent tubes you find in kitchens and offices already (the ones that take a while to flick on and can start flashing without warning!).

They are reported to use a lot less power to run than normal light-bulbs and can last up to between 6000 - 15000, up to 15 times longer than the alternative incandescents - apparently making them justify their more expensive price tag!  In theory then, creating less waste after use - and ultimately reduced manufacturing costs as we won’t need to buy them so often.  They are reported to last up to 5 years with normal household use!

Running a CFL light generates less heat than an incandescent bulb, therefore reducing the need for cooling in warmer months - particularly useful in shops and offices where heat can affect products.

In the EU, CFL’s are rated as either A or B in their energy rating system (ie - the most energy efficient in their class), with halogen bulbs getting a D-rating, and the old incandescents getting and E or F-rating!  They are reported to use as little as 20% of the energy of a standard light-bulb - so reducing running costs of offices and retail outlets greatly! 

However, it’s not all good news.  There are many downsides to these new light-bulbs and suddenly the balance of energy-saving and environmental problems clash somewhat!

What’s Not So Hot?
Well, for a start it is believed that LED lighting is the next best thing -  they are safer, brighter, faster, last longer and are more energy-efficient than the CFL’s  - So why are we settling for 2nd best?  Why not just focus on the best one rather than filling the gap with a temporary solution?

Secondly - the CFL bulbs contain mercury.  Now, they report that it is only equivalent to the plastic bit at the end of a biro, but the light-bulbs themselves are only small - so in my book that is still a lot!  And mercury is toxic as we all know. 

Now - there is mercury in the fluorescent strip bulbs already, and we use those all over the place - but these are in our bedrooms and lounges now - and do we want the risk?  The industry is trying to reduce this for the next generation bulbs - but of course, you won’t need those until 2014 will you!

Obviously, if they are used correctly in their fixtures - the mercury will not cause you any risk.  However, if they break in your home, or you throw them in you trash - they can present a ’small risk’ to your health!  The UK Energy Savings Trust say that this is negligible and mercury is released into the atmosphere when generating the coal-fired energy to power your old wasteful (and your new) light-bulbs.  Basically it’s an equal trade-off for the environment, but a bit more risky for the individual.

Alternatively, Recolight advise that there is a risk to health and that you should wear rubber gloves when handling broken bulbs, not to inhale dust, ventilate the room and most importantly: do not vacuum it up!  Why?  Because the mercury will get blown about the room and some will remain in the filter - spewing out every time you use it afterwards!!!!

Go to Maine’s Environmental Site for a more detailed advice list for dealing with a broken bulb, including washing your hands and face thoroughly and even replacing the carpet if young children or pregnant women may come in contact with it!!  Scary stuff…..

There are not really efficient systems in place to recycle these bulbs once they are spent either, and some experts say the technology to do so is years away.  Current estimations say that up to 75% of CFL bulbs are thrown away in the normal trash - releasing the mercury - and creating more damage than the energy they save!  Experts also advise that you contain your broken and unbroken bulbs in air-tight glass jars while transporting them to avoid mercury release….. 

You can give your bulbs back to a number of stores though for recycling and disposal, including Home Depot and Ikea.  Check the EPA website or your National Environmental Agency for more advice on disposal near you.  Some private companies can collect bulk amounts at some cost to you though.

Finally, they only work at their most efficient if they stay on for longer than 15 minutes at a time!  If you have one in your bathroom or closet that goes on and off within just a few minutes - you can actually shorten it’s lifespan by up to 85% - basically back to where a normal light-bulb would be - except you paid more for this one!

Also, due to their internal workings, you need to buy a specific type to work with dimmer switches, motion sensor and linked systems as they flash or change brightness as and when they please!  They can also buzz and flicker - annoying some people more than others - and they give some people a head-ache!

So, although I will be replacing my old light-bulbs with an appropriate CFL bulb - Roll on LED lighting I say!!

Finding Energy Efficient Appliances Should Be Easy…

It is now easier than ever to find yourself and energy-efficient electrical appliance without compromising on quality or service.

Basically, manufacturers these days are trying to improve the energy efficiency of their electrical items to win your purchase. In Europe there is now the ‘Energy Rating Scheme’ (EU energy ratings from A (most energy efficient) through to G (least energy efficient)and that this is displayed on their and their competitors appliances. And in the US there is the Energy Star rating system doing the same thing.

Needless to say, many manufacturers want you to buy their products - and so they need to make sure that theirs matches up or betters the competition!! All good for the environment and the consumers pocket.

How To Get It Right:
Below are 4 simple steps to make sure that you are getting the best in terms of energy efficiency in your new appliances. They include just the basics - as obviously there are performance and branding issues that are specific to each household - as well as different budgets.

You also need to be aware that more energy efficient models are not necessarily better at washing your clothes or not breaking down all the time! The energy rating schemes only cover energy requirements - not the machines themselves - so you still need to research the products before purchase and read reviews or speak to the sales person in your store or on-line.

1) Research your products in advance.
Make sure that you have decided exactly what you need out of the appliance, for simplicities sake - a toaster that does 4 slices at a time or a dishwasher to fit in a small space in you kitchen, etc.

Once you have narrowed down your options, take a look at customer reviews to check usability and to line it up with your budget. Don’t forget that the price you pay will not always reflect what you get for your money and buying the cheaper model may cost you more in repairs than the slightly more expensive version that has a longer working life.

2) Look for the Energy Saving Logo/the Energy Star.
By checking which of your short-list have been labelled as more energy-efficient can help you make the right choice in terms of reduced running costs for yourself.

Buying a lower rated item in the EU (D-G) may well mean you end up using more electricity per wash - theoretically making the machine/appliance ‘cost more’ over the year:

Cost of Item + cost to run per year + cost of any repairs = actual cost of item to you.

Energy Ratings are now available on many appliances including TV’s, set top boxes, heating equipment and fridges - plus many more. Some items have more than 1 ’score’ in the EU so make sure you check each one.

3) Ask In Store.
As more and more consumers are wanting to know about ways to reduce their energy costs - retailers are better informed of their options. Staff take training in this area to make sure that they are advising you on the best product for your requirements.

They should be able to explain how the energy rating systems work in your country and for every appliance you are interested in. They should also know how to find out and compare details on all their models - for example showing which perform best on standby and whether certain items come with energy saving features like automatic ’sleep mode’. Up to 8% of UK TV energy is wasted while on standby!

If you have done your research before you arrive in the store, then you won’t be overwhelmed by the choices available when you get to the shelves - try not to be swayed by appearance if you are serious about energy saving. Wanting that pink version that is D-rated is only a passing phase!!!!

4) Consider Doubling up!
Integrated appliances are the way forward with energy-saving. For example buying a TV with built in digital receiver - only buying 1 product rather than 2. Fridge-freezers and washer-Driers do the same.

• Less raw materials to create - it’s all in one casing
• Less packaging - only one item instead of 2 or more
• Less transport - only 1 item to get to the store/your home
• Less products in total - less plugs and cabling needed
• Less electricity when on standby - only one power source

You may already have the second appliance - but when it is no longer required or breaks down - you then don’t need to replace it!

I hope that these few steps have been useful, and there will be more about appliances coming soon to help you make the better choices for the environment!

PS - cut down on games console usage if you can - they use loads of energy to run! A well used console can add around £160 EXTRA onto your electricity bill!!!

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