Energy Monitors

You can borrow an Energy Monitor from your local library to see how much energy you are using. Read on to find out more... 

 

Getting started

It is easier to save electricity if you start by knowing how much you and your appliances are using. The energy monitor helps you to understand how much electricity is used in your home by showing the cost as well as the kilowatts per hour (kWh). This information will help you to spot the ways that you can save electricity in your home. Electricity is generally around 15% of the energy you use in the home, and around one-third of your fuel bills.

 

 

How to use the energy monitor

Full and clear instructions are available with the monitor.  This includes setting up the monitor and then using it and understanding the information displayed. No specialist knowledge is required.

 

 

What happens next?

Using the monitor as described in the accompanying handbook, you can see how much electricity is used in your home. You can also use it to see how much electricity your appliances use. Some will use much more than others.Your monitor will help you to spot opportunities to reduce your energy usage.This might include things like switching off your television rather than leaving it on or on standby. There are a number of useful suggestions on the back of this leaflet and at

www.deac.co.uk|

 

Heating and hot water

 

 

 

Heating and hot water are the biggest users of energy in your home, so it is important to ensure that your home is adequately insulated and that your heating is controlled effectively.

 

 

Insulation

Make sure your house is adequately insulated. It should have 11” or 270mm of loft insulation and also cavity wall insulation. Contact the Dorset Energy Advice Centre to arrange for a free no-obligation survey and for advice on grants and discounts.

 

 

Controlling your heating

The recommended temperature for a living room is between 18°C and 21°C.

If you have central heating, use your room thermostat to achieve this temperature. If you have storage heaters, make sure you understand how to use the controls to keep you warm enough. Hot water should be stored at 60°C, so if you have a hot water cylinder check the thermostat. Contact the Dorset Energy Advice Centre for advice on how to make heating systems more efficient.

 

 

Saving electricity at home

The price of running electrical appliances depends on the power of the appliance and how long they are in use. To calculate the running cost multiply (or times) the power rating in kilowatts by the time of use in hours.

 

T he price of running electrical appliances depends on the power of the appliance and how long they are in use. To calculate the running cost multiply (or times) the power rating in kilowatts by the time of use in hours.

Appliance	Power Rating (kW)	Length of Use (h)	Electricity Consumption kWh	Cost @ 12p / kWh
Kettle	2000 W or 2 kW	6 mins or 0.1 hours	0.2 kWh	2.4p
Immersion Heater	3000 W or 3 kW	1 hour	3 kWh	36p
20 W energy saving light-bulb	20 W or 0.02 kW	4 hours	0.08 kWh	0.96p
100 watt light-bulb	100 W or 0.1 kW	4 hours	0.4 kWh	4.8p

 

Ten ways to save electricity at home

1. Put only the amount of water that you intend to use in the kettle. It will boil more

   quickly and you will save around £10 per year.

2. Where possible turn off appliances that are not in use instead of using the stand-by

   function. This can save £30 per year.

3. Wash your laundry at 30°C and save £10 per year.
4. Turn lights off when you leave the room and save £10 per year.
5. Fit energy saving bulbs throughout your home and save £40 per year.
6. Where possible dry clothes outside instead of using a tumble dryer.

7. Your fridge and freezer run for 24 hours every day so keep them defrosted and try to

   reduce the amount of time the doors are left open.

8. When buying new appliances buy the most energy efficient products that you can

   afford, and ask about the products stand-by use.

9. Placing foil behind radiators and removing obstructions will help radiate their heat

   more effectively.

10. Heavy or lined curtains reduce heat loss.

 

Please let us know how you got on!

The Go Green Bournemouth Team would like to find out how much energy is being saved by using the energy monitor. To do this, we would like you to keep a brief record on the enclosed record sheet of your electricity meter readings and a note of any changes you have been able to make to save energy in your home. We’d also like to know if you have experienced any problems or have any suggestions.

This record can be returned to the lending library.

 

 

Read the Leaflet & Feedback Form (PDF)|