The 20-26 January is Big Energy Saving Week by the Energy Saving Trust (in partnership with Citizens Advice and the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy) is a national campaign focusing on supporting individuals learn how to cut their energy bills and learn about financial support they may be entitled to.
At Action Hampshire we are working with VCSE groups in Hampshire and Dorset (including Southampton, Portsmouth and IOW) as part of our SGN ‘Safe and Warm Communities’ project to educate their teams on energy awareness which includes the importance of energy efficiency, support for those in energy debt, ways to save money on utility bills and energy safety in the home so that they can better support their beneficiaries.
To support Big Energy Saving Week here are a few energy saving tips and myth-busting facts you may not be aware of:
- You can save an average of £40 per year on electricity bills by switching to all LED lightbulbs.
- Most people would presume the majority of heat is lost through their roof – this is false, its actually walls as they have a larger surface area.
- Electricity costs four times as much as gas meaning homes with gas central heating will have lower bills overall than those with just electric.
- Carbon Monoxide detectors, like Smoke Alarms, should be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years.
- Most suppliers offer a discount if you are able to pay your utility bills via Direct Debit.
- It’s a myth that drinking alcohol keeps you warm, in fact you will become colder quicker due to the alcohol as it opens up blood vessels near the surface of your skin, causing your blood to cool.
- Radiators are usually sited under windows to help counteract the cold air coming off the window. This cold air also assists in ensuring airflow, meaning the warmth from the radiator moves throughout the room.
- All UK utility bills are required to include a TIL (Tariff Information Label) which provides standardized information about the tariff making it easier for consumers to compare products. It will include information on the unit cost, standing charge, discounts applied and payment method. Bills also include a CTM (cheapest Tariff Message) which is a message personalized to the customer, informing them what the cheapest tariff available to them is with their current supplier including an estimate on potential savings based on projected usage.
- It’s a myth that renters can’t improve the energy efficiency of their home – radiator reflector panels, door draft excluders, draft strips around doors and windows, chimney balloons and temporary secondary glazing are all cost-effective ways in which to better insulate a home without causing permanent changes to the property.
- Cooking on gas for one day produces approximately 4 litres of moisture which is why it’s really important to ventilate spaces where steam is being created to avoid a build-up of condensation which can lead to mould growth.
Action Hampshire are continuing to host free ‘Energy Awareness Workshops’ for VCSE organisations who would like to learn more and share with their beneficiaries, upcoming dates can be booked here:
Follow this link to book onto a workshops
In addition to this after the workshop all eligible attendees will be invited to apply for £500 of funding to support in the delivery of this messaging to their beneficiaries. If you have any questions or would like to find out more please contact the team safeandwarm@actionhampshire.org
