A practical guide to saving energy at home.
Saving energy in the home requires a holistic approach and a combination of measures targeting various sources of energy consumption.
Please note! I want to make this clear straight away: we won’t be talking about sacrifices. Comfort comes first.
The problem is that, until a few years ago, the idea of comfort was equated with luxury, which was often seen as synonymous with the superfluous. Well, today we’ve finally realised that we can actually live even better whilst maintaining an optimal standard of living, by cutting back on excesses. This is possible by keeping track of our consumption, assessing our needs, and adjusting both in search of the perfect balance.
The sensible and rational use of energy resources and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies can make a significant contribution to reducing a home’s overall energy consumption without having to make any sacrifices.
For example, installing high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, using energy-saving light bulbs such as LEDs, and choosing energy-efficient household appliances can reduce energy consumption whilst maintaining high standards of comfort. Furthermore, reducing unnecessary use of electronic devices and general electricity consumption can further help to lower a home’s overall energy consumption. In summary, a combination of targeted strategies can make a significant contribution to energy savings in a home.
Let’s take a closer look at the main sources of energy consumption in a home and, above all, at some tips for optimising energy use, reducing consumption and – as I never tire of repeating – without compromising on comfort.
There are many main sources of energy consumption in a home, and these can vary depending on the location, the size and shape of the building, the specifications of the electrical and heating/cooling systems, the composition of the building envelope, as well as the neighbouring properties and the building’s orientation. In short, the variables seem endless and uncontrollable. However, mathematical models have been developed to determine a building’s energy requirements in incredible detail: the most widely used of these is the calculation method for producing the so-called APE (Energy Performance Certificate).
Measuring energy consumption using the APE.
The Energy Performance Certificate (APE) is calculated by analysing the characteristics of the building and its systems, as well as its air-conditioning and domestic hot water systems.
To calculate the APE, the qualified technician uses specialised software that simulates the building’s energy performance and determines its annual energy consumption. In particular, the software takes into account various parameters, including the building’s floor area, its orientation, the presence of thermal insulation, the efficiency of the heating and cooling systems, the use of energy from renewable sources, the building’s intended use, etc.
Once the building’s energy performance has been calculated, the technician draws up the energy performance certificate, which sets out the data relating to the building’s energy consumption and its energy class, ranging from class A (highly energy-efficient buildings) to class G (buildings with high energy loss).
An energy performance certificate is required when a property is sold or let, when building renovation works are carried out, in the case of new-build properties, or when applying for tax relief or public grants for energy efficiency improvements.
Do you need an APE? Please get in touch.
Sources of energy consumption in the home and how to manage them.
Let’s take a look at a detailed list and some tips for improvement.
1. Heating and cooling.
Controlling the indoor temperature of a home can account for up to 50 per cent of total energy consumption. Using high-efficiency heating and cooling systems can significantly reduce energy consumption. A comfortable temperature can be maintained through the use of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, such as air conditioners, radiators and the most efficient heat pumps.
A heat pump is a heating system that uses the thermal energy present in the air, water or ground to produce heat. It works in a similar way to an air conditioner, but in reverse: instead of extracting heat from the indoor environment and expelling it outside, it extracts heat from the outdoor environment and transfers it into the home.
There are various types of heat pumps, but they all have a compressor that compresses the refrigerant gas, causing it to change from a state of low pressure and temperature to one of high pressure and temperature. The refrigerant gas is then passed through a condenser, where it transfers the heat extracted from the outside environment to the water or air flowing through the unit. The heated water or air is then used to heat the indoor space.
Heat pumps can be used for space heating and for producing domestic hot water, but also for cooling indoor spaces during the summer, by reversing the operating cycle.
Heat pumps are highly energy-efficient, as they produce more heat than they consume. For example, an air-source heat pump can produce up to three times as much heat as it consumes in electricity. What’s more, when combined with renewable energy sources such as solar panels, they are also very environmentally friendly. Simply brilliant!
To regulate the temperature in your home, you can reduce the heating and cooling in rooms that are not in use by using programmable thermostats, which allow you to control the temperature precisely in each room and reduce energy consumption by adjusting the temperature to suit the needs of the household.
Other ways to reduce energy consumption include ensuring that external walls are properly insulated (the floor in contact with the ground and the top-floor ceiling are also areas where heat is lost!), insulating windows, and using curtains or shutters to block out sunlight and maintain a constant temperature.
2. Lighting.
Lighting is another major source of energy consumption, particularly if traditional light bulbs are used. Using energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LED bulbs, can significantly reduce the amount of energy used for lighting.
LED bulbs have many other advantages that more than justify the price difference compared with traditional lighting sources, which are now obsolete. These advantages include high luminous efficiency – meaning they produce more light using less energy – a long lifespan, which can be up to 25,000 hours or more, and greater resistance to shocks and vibrations. Furthermore, LED bulbs do not contain mercury or other toxic substances, unlike compact fluorescent bulbs, making them a more environmentally sustainable choice.
Finally, LED bulbs come in many different shapes and sizes; they are dimmable – meaning their light output can be adjusted – they do not generate heat, and they can be used in any type of lighting application, making them a versatile choice for the home.
3. Household appliances.
Household appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and ovens, can account for up to 30 per cent of a home’s energy consumption. Using energy-efficient appliances and reducing how often they are used can help to cut energy consumption.
When buying a new household appliance, it is important to choose models with a good energy efficiency rating, such as A+++, A++ or A+, as they use less energy than less efficient models. If you are unable to opt for energy-efficient appliances, you can learn to adjust the settings for greater efficiency and better performance, or choose the right programme. For example, use a low-temperature programme for light laundry and longer programmes only when necessary. Furthermore, there are many washing machine detergents that are effective at low temperatures, even at 30 degrees.
It has been shown that washing up in a dishwasher uses less energy than washing by hand in the sink. However, it is important to only start a wash cycle when the appliance is fully loaded, in order to minimise energy consumption. But, at this point, the most common question is, ‘How am I supposed to leave the dirty dishes for long enough to fill the dishwasher?’. Well, all models have a quick wash cycle – lasting about 5 minutes – which uses cold water to give the crockery an initial rinse, thereby avoiding the need to pre-wash them by hand, which would negate the potential energy savings of using the appliance.
One final tip is to keep your household appliances clean and in good working order. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the washing machine filter or the cooker hood, can help to improve the appliance’s efficiency.
4. Hot water.
Hot water production accounts for up to 20 per cent of a home’s energy consumption. It’s essential in everyday life: when it’s there, we don’t realise just how precious it is, but when it’s not, we really feel the difference! Imagine it’s the middle of winter and you want to have a refreshing hot shower; so you step into the shower and only cold water comes out. A real nightmare. It’s impossible to avoid producing hot water altogether, but there are some simple ways to manage your consumption. First and foremost, using energy-efficient systems such as the much-talked-about condensing boilers allows you to get instant domestic hot water on demand, without wasting heat.
A condensing boiler works by heating water for space heating or domestic hot water and then using the water vapour that is produced as an additional source of energy.
In traditional boilers, the water vapour produced during the combustion process is expelled through the flue along with the flue gases. A condensing boiler, on the other hand, collects the water vapour and cools it until it condenses into water. This process releases a considerable amount of energy, which is recovered and used to heat water.
In this way, a condensing boiler is more efficient than a traditional boiler, as it utilises the residual heat that would otherwise be lost. Furthermore, as the flue gas is cooler, less energy is lost through the flue, which further increases the system’s efficiency.
For this reason, condensing boilers are regarded as one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly options for space heating and domestic hot water production.
5. Consumer electronics.
Electronic devices, such as televisions, computers and chargers, can be a significant source of energy consumption when in standby mode. Although the amount of energy consumed by a single device in standby mode may seem small, the cumulative consumption of many devices can be considerable.
According to a European Union study, electronic devices left on standby can account for between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of total household energy consumption. This means that, in a home with an average annual energy consumption of 3,500 kWh, appliances left on standby could account for between 175 and 350 kWh of energy consumption per year.
Actual energy consumption depends on a number of factors, including the number and type of electronic devices in the home, their age and how they are used. For example, some devices in standby mode consume more energy than others, such as televisions or games consoles. Furthermore, the length of time a device remains in standby mode can have a significant impact on energy consumption.
Switching off electronic devices completely when they are not in use is an effective way to reduce energy consumption at home. Using multi-socket adapters with switches to cut off the power supply to devices on standby when they are not in use is another simple way to reduce energy consumption.
Finally, general electricity use – such as charging mobile phones, listening to music, watching TV, etc. – can account for a significant proportion of a household’s energy consumption, and being mindful of and reducing such activities can significantly cut energy use.
Conclusions.
A few factors that make all the difference. No sacrifices, no compromises. The watchwords are comfort and wellbeing. The conscious and rational use of energy resources, the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and the reduction of unnecessary consumption are all effective ways of reducing a home’s energy consumption.
It may seem complicated, but if you treat it as a personal challenge, they will all become good habits and routines that you won’t even realise you’re doing – they’ll be as natural as switching on the light when you walk into a dark room.
Do you know of any other useful tips and tricks? Share them with the community in the comments below.
Architecture is part of our way of life.