Up in the Loft

One place we haven't checked, although our Energy Assessor did, is up in the loft. We had our hot water tank moved up there a number of years ago to give us more bathroom space so there's more to check than in most but it is one of those places that gets forgotten. A good start as we have an insulated loft hatch and all the gaps are sealed.

The hot water tank and all the pipework are also all insulated. We can't do much about the power switches that are on as they operate the pump, wireless thermostat and remote shower pump.

The thermostat on the hot water tank is already set at about 58 deg. C, nicely below the recommended 60 deg. C.

The loft insulation has been "topped-up" and although not quite the 270mm optimum our Energy Assessor said adding any more wouldn't make any real improvement.

So unfortunately no new energy savings but aren't we feeling smug with what we've already done!

Well we have made a small saving elsewhere by not using our electric propagators to germinate our veggie seeds this year. Instead we have used normal sized, unpowered propagators and the mini ones that are sold with kids seeds. These have been put on sunny windowsills and we've had no problems with germination (even with chillies!). The small one in the pic is one that Tom and Sammy planted in the garden last weekend and we have nice young seedlings already.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL SAVINGS
Unpowered propagators                  £5
Plugged-in doorbell off                   £2
Video & DVD player unplugged    £2
Chimney blocked-up                       £4
Radiators bled                                 £4
Fridge vents/fins cleaned                £3
Radiator shelves                            £10
Free water saving stuff                    £5
H2O alarm clocks x 4                    £30
Door draught seal                            £5
Lined front door curtains               £10
Bathroom energy saving light       £30
No power games & activities        £10
Less charging (car inverter)          £15
No power lawn mowing                £10
Reduced ironing                            £15
Hall energy saving light                £30
Front door solar light                    £30
Lined bedroom curtains                  £5
Cooking Co-operative                   £25
Dishwasher used only when full   £20
Bed half an hour earlier                 £25
Washing Machine at 30 deg C      £15
Reduced Heating & Hot Water     £50
Ditch the Tumble Dryer                £50
Still Less TV & Xbox                   £10
Total Annual Savings                  £420

ACTUAL SPEND (will add items in as we install them and estimate their savings)
H2O alarm clocks x 4                    £26
Door draught seal                            £5
Pulley bathroom airer                    £43
Lined front door curtains               £21
Bathroom energy saving light       £20
Invertor                                          £20
Hall energy saving light                £27
Front door solar light                     £25
Lined bedroom curtains                 £10
Total spend                                   £197

Just in case you were wondering, the "cooking co-operative" is still working. Only eaten at friends and family once so far this week but got Friday "booked" and working on at least one day out this weekend!

TTFN