The Renewable Energy Centre’s Helps to Combat Fuel Poverty - Practical Tips for Households on Any Budget

A recent report commissioned by the Energy Efficiency Partnership has discovered that around 3 million households currently spend over 10% of their income on utility bills. This is a percentage 3 times higher than the average household and is defined as ‘Fuel Poverty’.

In 2001 the Government pledged to eliminate fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and all other UK households by 2016. However, the estimated number of households often having to sacrifice other essentials just to keep warm has risen by around 1.7 million in the past 3 years.

Although the Government has been actively working towards meeting their targets by providing grants, offering advice and promoting energy saving ideas, it appears to have made little impact.

Poorly insulated homes are one of the major factors. The National Consumer Council says around 80% of the fuel poor population are living in homes that are below average in energy efficiency.

Visiting TheRenewableEnergyCentre.co.uk is the first step for any individual wishing to make energy saving improvements to their home. It contains a fully comprehensive national and local directory of specialist products and suppliers in this arena. There are pages of advice and information on all areas of renewable energy which is particularly useful for property owners researching the possible options available.

For those on a budget, The Renewable Energy Centre has published its top tips for cutting electricity and gas bills and significantly improving the energy efficiency of the home.

No Cost Tips

• Appliances
Appliances left on standby are still using up to 70% of their usual electricity. It is vital that all appliances are switched off when they are not being used!

• Kettles
The average standard kettle in the UK is used to boil water seven times per day so each time make sure you only boil as much water as you need.

• Heating
Turn the thermostat down by 1 degree can cut heating bills by 10 per cent and save around £30 per year.

Close your curtains at dusk stops heat escaping through windows.

• Washing
Try and use your tumble dryer as little as possible. Either dry clothes outside in the summer or place on a clothes rail in an unheated room.

• Lighting
Lighting counts for 15% of the average electricity bill. Always switch of the light before you leave a room.

Low Cost Tips

• Light Bulbs
Energy saving light bulbs are slightly more expensive than standard bulbs they last up to 12 times longer and each bulb will cut £7 off your annual electricity bill.

• Heating
Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.

Invest in draft excluders for windows, doors and to stop warm air escaping.

Further Investments

•Wall Insulation
Up to 33% of heat is lost through exterior walls. Filling wall cavities is one of the most cost-effective means to saving energy and could cut heating bills by up to £160 per year.

• Loft Insulation
Loft insulation could cut your heating bills by up to 20% and is one of the easiest ways of reducing bills. It can even be installed yourself and there are government grants available.

• Double-Glazing
Nearly a fifth of your homes heat will escape through windows if they are singled glazed. Although double-glazing can be expensive it has great benefits for reducing heat loss and noise.

• New Boiler
After 15 years a boiler will begin to lose its efficiency. Although one of the more expensive energy saving options, a modern ‘A’ rated boiler can save you up to £180 a year and halve your home’s carbon emissions.