are many ways in which we can save energy in our homes and offices, from something as simple as switching lights and televisions off to insulating cavity walls and the loft. Measures such as draught proofing, having proper insulation on your hot water tank and installing double glazing can save you a lot of money in the long term. Did you know that by replacing a 10 year old fridge freezer with a new A rated one, you can save around £45 per year. In the United Kingdom alone, the estimated amount of carbon produced annually from leaving a television on standby is 480,000 tonnes. This may just equate to a few hundred pounds per home per year, but those few hundred pounds are better in your pocket than the energy supplier, don’t you think? Plus the reduction in carbon production can only be a good thing. Buying energy efficient appliances will save a great deal of electricity and switching from standard light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs will also help to reduce your carbon footprint.

Lighting our homes and office buildings is something we all need to do and something we just take for granted. Switch the light on and hey presto you have light. By installing skylights, you can make full use of nature’s free gift of light. The use of skylights in rooms such as offices and in the home, the kitchen, bathroom and hall will decrease your electricity consumption and also allow you to have natural daylight ’streaming in’. You will need to consider several things before you have your skylights installed. The position of your home/office and how you wish to make use of daylighting will influence how many and where you will position the skylights. Modern rooflights and skylights are very energy efficient and are leak and draught proof. You can have skylights that open to allow ventilation and this can help prevent condensation build up. Skylights come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made from different materials. Glass is the most common and if you are choosing glass, always make sure it is tempered or laminated. You can have double or triple glazing and you can also have a special tint. Speak to an expert before making a final decision.

These days we are all aware of energy consumption and that we should do our best to reduce it as much as possible not only to save money but also to save our planet. As fossil fuels will eventually run out, we need to find more ways to feed our continuing demands for energy so by making use of green energy we are satisfying our need for energy without further damaging the planet. Of course if we can reduce our energy consumption as well, that will save not only our planet but also our money. So, go on do your bit, switch off those televisions and lights when you are not using them and when your next light bulb blows, buy an energy efficient one.

By: Graham Baylis

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