| Pampered pets and quick-drying washing: could Britain go greener? | PR063 |
| 19 October 2009 | |
 A survey commissioned by eco-website thinkinsulation.com for Energy Saving Week (19th-25th October) has found that while the people of Britain are getting to grips with recycling, many could do with a helping hand to boost their energy-saving credentials. Interestingly, the results of the survey highlighted a number of differences between the nation’s regions. In Manchester nearly 25 per cent of respondents admitted to leaving their heating on fully throughout the day to keep their pets toasty and warm, despite the fact that the average cat or dog does not require a tropical environment in order to be comfortable and contented. The most popular animals were cats and dogs, but some of the more unusual pampered pets included some curious indoor guinea pigs! Applying the logic that heat rises, almost three quarters of West Midlands residents thought that the roof was the most significant factor affecting heat loss in a typical home. In reality, although 25 per cent of heat is lost in this way, the worst culprit in the vast majority of homes is the walls due to their larger surface area. On average, around 35 per cent of energy escapes via this route, making cavity wall insulation the most effective way to reduce heat loss for a typical family property. In fact, installing cavity wall insulation can cut the average energy bill by around £115 a year*. Homes with solid walls can be even less energy efficient if not insulated and can cause a staggering 45 per cent of heat to escape! Having internal or external solid wall insulation fitted can drastically reduce this figure, reducing energy bills by an average of £400 per year*. In London, over half of respondents shockingly admitted to leaving their heating on during the day to dry their washing. In addition to cranking up the heat in an empty house to dry their smalls, over half of respondents were unsure as to how much their energy bill would be when it arrived – information that could help fight rising energy prices this winter. But it wasn’t all bad news – the survey found that almost two thirds of Londoners would put on an extra layer of clothing rather than turn up the heating to keep warm during a cold snap – saving energy and money into the bargain. Lydia Sharples from thinkinsulation.com comments: “With the cold weather just around the corner, energy bills are set to rise and homeowners are looking for ways to reduce energy wastage. Simply turning heating down or setting it to be on for less time during the day are small changes that will keep pets comfortable and would still allow washing to dry, but the savings would quickly add up. For example, simply turning heating down by one degree can reduce the average heating bill by £55 per year*. “But cutting energy costs is not just about adjusting our habits in the home to use less energy, it’s also about reducing wastage of energy that we do use. For example, installing loft and cavity wall insulation, or putting draught excluders down in front of doors will keep more heat in a home for longer. The UK’s energy suppliers provide a range of grants to help with installing energy saving measures, so get in touch to see what offers are available. There are insulation measures to suit all buildings and budgets, so there really is no reason why homeowners (and their pets!) can’t stay warm, while keeping energy bills low during the winter months.” TOP FIVE FREE ENERGY SAVING MEASURES TO TRY IN ENERGY SAVING WEEK* • Set your hot water to 60°C: for the majority of homes, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing, so make sure you are not using extra energy to heat this water everyday. • Don't overfill your kettle: try and only boil the amount of water you need – one cup’s worth is less than you think! Always remember to ensure you boil the minimum amount for the safe use of the kettle (this should be marked on the side). • Draw the curtains to keep in heat: close your curtains at dusk to minimise heat escape through the windows - even in rooms you're not using. • Use cooler programmes to wash your clothes and dishes: modern washing powders work just as well at lower temperatures, so try and use cooler cycles where possible. Washing full loads will also make each load more economical, or alternatively select the ‘half-load’ or economy programme. The average UK household does 274 loads of washing a year, so the savings really add up! • Save water in your cistern: Every time a toilet is flushed, the water has to be purified and pumped round again, all of which wastes a huge amount of water and energy. Placing an object such as a brick in the cistern takes up space, reducing the water needed to fill it and saving up to twice as much water as the average person drinks per year. Visit www.thinkinsulation.com to find out more about saving energy in the home and arrange a no-obligation home survey. -ends- * Figures correct according to the Energy Saving Trust, October 2009 Notes to Editors For further press information, please contact Ruth Harman or Laura Mashiter at Tangerine PR on 0161 817 6600. Alternatively, email ruth.harman@tangerinepr.com or laura.m@tangerinepr.com |
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