Six smart products to cut your energy bill

Six Smart Products that will cut your energy bill

Six Smart Products that will cut your energy bill

Introduction Spot Thermometer Insulation Appliances LED Light Bulbs The Pay off Programmable Thermostat Drought ResourcesExcluder & Vent Covers Resources

Introduction With energy costs rising, it's important that we all go to greater lengths to keep our homes cozy and dry as the cold weather sets in. But help is at hand. There are a few simple ways you can keep the cost of your energy bills down.

Photo by Moyan_Brenn on Flickr

Photo by Tambako the Jaquar on Flickr

Spot Thermometer A spot or infrared thermometer can be much cheaper than shelling out for a home energy audit. The purpose of this clever invention is to find any areas of your home where air is escaping and whether you will require any additional insulation.  The device itself is a kind of non-contact thermometer, meaning it has the ability to measure temperature from a distance.  They are sometimes used by fire fighters to check for hot spots, and also by kitchen supply manufacturing companies for research and development purposes.  You can pick one up from any hardware shop like B&Q, and they are easy to use. You just aim the gadget at the wall or ceiling to look for cold patches. It's relatively inexpensive too - you can pick one up for about £20-£30.

Insulation Ensuring your home is properly insulated is the most effective method of cutting down your energy bill. After detecting any air holes using your spot thermometer, take measures to insulate your home in every way possible.  Try using insulating foam sealant to fill any cracks or holes - it is water resistant and makes the gap instantly airtight.  Alternatively, use insulating foam to keep out draughts and larger spaces which could be letting the cold air in.  You can even buy fibre glass free brands which are made from old recycled cotton and other fabrics, so you don’t need to wear a mask or gloves.

LED Light Bulbs Fitting LED light bulbs can be pricier to buy than regular incandescent bulbs but they last much longer without being replaced and only burn 20 per cent of the energy used by regular bulbs. Consider having them fitted in your home to slash electricity bills significantly, especially if you are guilty of leaving the house with your lights on.

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Image by chicagogeek

Programmable Thermostat A programmable thermostat is designed to adjust the temperature of your home according to however you programme it to take effect at various times throughout the day.  They are sometimes known as setback or clock thermostats and are really easy to install.  These are the perfect little gadgets for anyone who often gets to work in the morning and forgets that they have left the heating on.  You can programme it to come on an hour before you wake up, meaning the house is warm whilst you get ready for work, then it will cool down during the day when you're not in.  There are even some which can be controlled via the use of an iPhone application, so you can change it as you like whilst on the move.

Draught excluders Draught excluders are a cheap as chips way to keep out the draught from underneath doors, whether it's keeping the heat inside the house, or stopping the cold air from getting in.

You can buy them from most hardware shops or online. Alternatively, if you are feeling creative, you can make your own.

Vent Covers Invest in some magnetic vent covers to stop air from getting in via your air conditioning system.

They are really cheap to buy and easy to use - just stick them down over the vent to keep the heat in and stop any draughts from getting in.

Resources: o Green Home Guide o Energy Saving Trust