This Energy Saving Week (17 – 23 January) residents are reminded of the services and advice that can help them save money and become more energy efficient.
Supported by a range of organisations, including Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the Energy Saving Trust, Energy Saving Week is an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness of energy efficiency, reducing energy bills and combating fuel poverty.
Throughout this week, we’re encouraged to learn more about how we use energy in our homes, become more efficient and lower our bills.
Energy saving top tips
Lower your heating thermostat – Reduce your room temperature by turning down your heating thermostat to 18°C. This simple step could save you up to 10% on your heating bills. If you have a programmer, set your heating and hot water to activate only when needed, rather than running continuously.
Optimise water temperature – Next time your boiler receives servicing, ask the Gas Safe engineer to adjust your water temperature to a comfortable level. This will ensure you’re using hot water efficiently.
Prevent heat loss – As dusk approaches, draw your curtains to prevent heat from escaping through windows. Additionally, check for drafts around windows and doors and seal any gaps to minimize heat loss.
Switch off lights when leaving rooms – Make a habit of turning off lights whenever you leave a room to conserve energy.
Avoid standby mode – Unplug appliances when not in use to eliminate standby power consumption. Additionally, avoid leaving laptops and mobile phones on charge unnecessarily.
Optimise appliance usage – Fill up your washing machine, tumble dryer, or dishwasher whenever possible. Running one full load is more energy-efficient than two half loads. Choose the economy setting whenever available.
Boil water efficiently – Only boil as much water as you need. When using an electric kettle, cover the elements to retain heat and reduce energy consumption.
Fix dripping taps – A dripping hot water tap not only wastes water but also consumes unnecessary energy. Repair leaking taps promptly and ensure they are fully turned off when not in use.
Switch to LED bulbs – Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. LED bulbs last up to 10 times longer and consume significantly less energy.
Explore government energy grants – Check if you qualify for government energy grants under the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme. These grants can provide financial assistance for home insulation or heating upgrades, improving your home’s energy efficiency and reducing your fuel bills.
Defrost your freezer regularly – Defrosting your freezer regularly can significantly improve its energy efficiency. When ice build-up exceeds a quarter of an inch, it can affect the door seal’s effectiveness, allowing cold air to escape and increasing energy consumption.
What’s on offer?
Warm Homes Scheme – Owner Occupiers who are aged 60 and over in Knowsley can access help with replacement boilers and electrical works. This scheme, funded by Knowsley Council’s Strategic Housing Team, aims to improve the well-being and comfort of vulnerable households.
Find out more about who is eligible and how to apply.
Boiler Winter Ready Scheme – The Boiler Winter Ready Scheme provides assistance with boiler and heating servicing and repairs for eligible owner-occupiers in Knowsley. This scheme, funded by Knowsley Council’s Strategic Housing Team, is available to vulnerable households with an eligible income-related benefit or a combined household income below £31,000.
The scheme aims to ensure that households have their boiler/heating systems serviced and ready for the winter months.
Find out more about who is eligible and how to apply.
Knowsley Council – cutting costs and saving energy
Knowsley Council is committed to combatting climate change. One way of doing this is by decarbonisation.
Decarbonisation is the process of reducing carbon emissions per unit of energy generated, e.g. by installing solar panels to generate energy. This means that our buildings can still run efficiently, but with lower energy usage and a new, greener output.
The Council has been successful in securing government funding for building decarbonisation projects, with four buildings already decarbonised including Huyton Library, Kirkby Leisure Centre, River Alt Resource Centre and Court Hey Park.
By decarbonising buildings, the council is making them more energy efficient and reducing its carbon footprint, helping to reach its Net Zero 2040 target.