Using Less Energy – Page 2 – Warm Connections

The most effecient energy is the energy we no longer use

Home Small wins – everything counts….. with all the predicted energy price rises, and a nasty sense of doom, it has been refreshing to meet up with folks who have taken steps to keep their energy use down. Most of these steps don’t cost very much, and Warm Connections can provide materials if it will help. Here are a few wins we have heard about and seen in people’s homes: Draughts  Draught proofing around the floor and skirting boards – ‘having used acrylic filler wherever needed around the floor upstairs and down, we have been able to sleep upstairs all summer – last year we slept downstairs as it was just too hot upstairs. We can’t wait to see if upstairs will now be warmer in the winter’. (Barn conversion near Aberfeldy)  Curtains  ‘We are not really curtain people. We have an old door with single glazing – it’s really characterful and we thought we would have to get rid of it, but we put thick lined curtains up in February, and it’s amazing how much warmer the lounge is’. (Aberfeldy) Secondary Double Glazing  ‘We put magnetic strips around our glass to secure secondary glazing – less than £100 and so much difference’. (near Killin) Blinds ‘Warm Connections suggested honeycomb thermal blinds – instant benefits – they fit into frame and were easy to fit. Changing the windows was way too expensive but these blinds have helped so much’. (old stone house in Aberfeldy) Heating and Hot Water  ‘We turned the hot water temperature down at the boiler – the water is still hot enough and I now know where to adjust it if it needs to go up a bit for the winter. I can’t tell if it has reduced my bills but I need all the help I can get’. (Fearnan) Radiators  ‘It was surprisingly easy to fit radiator reflector foil behind radiators in our north facing bedroom, and it’s definitely made there room warmer’. (Aberfeldy)  ‘Just putting some thermal valves on our radiators (Thermostatic Radiator Valves) has given us control of which rooms we heat and how much. The last part of winter was much better’. (Fortingall)  ‘The programable TRVs which you suggested allows us to zone our house; we even went for a smart system I can control with my phone. Wow, what a difference’. (Aberfeldy) Cooking  ‘I have just got an air fryer; it uses much less power than my oven and cooks really well – I love it’. (near Amulree)  ‘I am experimenting with new recipes using with my microwave as I know it uses less energy’. (Rannoch) Warm Connections have been funded to provide a completely free advice service in the Rannoch, Tay and Braan areas west of the A9, and as far as Killin. We would love to arrange a home visit, and as you see from the comments above there is lots that we can help with. We can also steer you towards bigger projects and financial support where needed. Previous PostNext Post

Tackling the dark cloud of rising energy bills

Home “I know bills are due to rise, but how can I be sure I am paying the right amount”?“My energy company wants me to increase my direct debit – how much is the right amount”? “My energy company went bust – I have finally got a bill from my new provider and it’s loads higher than before. How do I know it’s right”? Here are a few things you can do: Check your meter readings for gas and electric, and see if the readings match your bill. Take a meter reading(s) and check your bill. Your current reading should be higher than the reading on your bill. If the bill says it is using an estimated meter reading it is most likely to be inaccurate; if there is a difference, submit your new reading to your energy company Check the recommended payment – is this similar to the amount you normally use? Winter is mostly over and we will be turning our heating down or off, so our energy use is likely to be dropping. In summer we use less energy so you may be able to reduce your payments, but people often choose to pay a little extra so that they have some credit ready for the winter. Ask for help – if you would like help to read the meter(s) or making sense of your bill, contact us If your payments appear accurate but are still too much to afford: First contact your energy provider – they may be able to help There may be financial support available – please get in touch with us at Warm Connections, CAP (Christians Against Poverty) or the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for advice Reduce your energy use. There are lots of small changes which can help reduce energy use or make your house more efficient. You have probably done or are doing some of them, but perhaps we can help. If you can get by through the summer but are worried about next winter: There are lots of preparations we can make through the summer to help us use less energy next winter, eg: Draught proofing Thermal curtains – improving your current ones or finding curtains with a thermal lining Accessing a grant to improve your boiler Making door draught excluders Practicing energy saving ideas around the house so that by winter they have become habit for you (and the kids) Next Post

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