7 minute read
ENERGY ADVICE SPECIAL
from Ardenglen HA
FOOD for THOUGHT
Did you know that Energy Efficiency while cooking could save you money? Keep a lid on it!
Did you know that using a lid on your pots when cooking speeds up the cooking time? This is because the lid keeps the heat in the pan, reducing the energy required to cook your food. Shut that door! When Using the oven Every time you open the oven door, you decrease the internal temperature by 25 to 50 degrees, which ultimately just adds to your total cooking time because the oven then has to reheat itself. Instead, keep your oven window clean so that you can monitor the status of your food from the outside. Try turning the oven off 5 mins before the end time. The residual heat will be enough to finish the dish and you will save energy
Microwave
They provide a much more energyefficient way of cooking, (up to 80% less energy) than conventional ovens. Generally cooking food much faster!
Electric pressure cookers and air
fryers all consume significantly less energy than ovens, so using these instead, if possible, will save you money.
Time to take it slow…………
Slow cookers are a great option for low maintenance, low carbon cooking. Using less energy than a traditional oven makes them cheaper to run, plus all you need to do is add the ingredients in the morning and a few hours later you have a hot meal ready to serve.
Lynne, our Energy Advisor is always on hand to offer advice and support.
Pension Credits
Are you (or someone you know) age 66+ with a total income under £200/week ? If so check if you are entitled to Pension Credit:
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator
It also entitles those aged 75 and above to a free TV licence. You could also get £150 off your electricity bill for winter period under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March.
What is the difference between energy efficient light bulbs and normal ones?
The light produced by energy-efficient lightbulbs is measured in lumens, not in watts. A traditional 60 W incandescent bulb can produce about 800 lumens, while an LED or CFL bulb could produce 800 lumens at a fraction of the energy use.
Traditional or incandescent light bulbs were invented more than 100 years ago and are extremely inefficient. Only about 5% of the electricity they use converts into visible light. What’s more, the bulbs don’t last long because the filament that creates the light evaporates as heat passes through it.
Potential savings switching traditional or halogen bulbs for LEDs Switching incandescent bulbs to LEDs
100 WATT
incandescent bulb
Save up to £13 per bulb per year
(Based on 1,100-lumen bulb running for 562 hours per year)
75 WATT
incandescent bulb
Save up to £8 per bulb per year
(Based on an 825-lumen bulb running for 503.5 hours per year)
60 WATT
incandescent bulb
Save up to £6 per bulb per year
(Based on an 660-lumen bulb running for 445 hours per year)
40 WATT
incandescent bulb
Save up to £4 per bulb per year
(Based on an 440-lumen bulb running for 394 hours per year)
Ref:LMastrangioliEnergySavingBulbs2022
Is it cheaper to run a bath or a shower?
A“typical” bath requires about 90 litres of water, split between 60 litres or so of hot water and 20 to 30 of cold.
A normal thermostatic mixer shower head discharges about 9/10 litres per minute, requiring about six litres of hot and three litres of cold. So... • Be Smarter about water and swap your bath for a shower • Spend less time in the shower, 4-5 mins MAX
Answer: It’s cheaper to have a shower
Priority Service Register
Any customer with sight or hearing difficulties, or who is disabled, chronically sick or of pensionable age is eligible for their energy suppliers’ priority service register.
Free services for gas and electricity include: • Password protection scheme • Conveniently located prepayment meters • Regular meter readings service • Communication services for those with hearing and visual impairments • Bill nominee scheme • Advance notice of electricity supply interruption • Priority services in an emergency • Annual gas safety checks
Password protection scheme
You can agree a unique password with your supplier which staff will use when visiting your home. This enables you to be confident that the person you let into your home is genuine.
Regular meter readings
Energy suppliers are only required by law to read meters once every two years. If you are over 60, chronically sick, disabled or have a hearing or visual impairment, your supplier can read your meter for free every quarter if no-one is able to do this for you. This will mean you are paying bills based on actual energy use rather than estimates.
Advance notice of supply interruption
If you rely on electricity to power vital medical equipment in your home, your energy supplier can give you advance notice if your supply is going to be interrupted for planned work. This will give you time to make alternative arrangements. Water companies will provide advance notification of work on water supply when a customer has registered with them as being on dialysis.
Both your energy and water supplier can provide information, including meter readings and bills, in a suitable format. This could be in Braille, large print, audio tape or via textphone or Typetalk. They can also help you with any enquires or to make a complaint using these formats.
Priority Service Register
Special arrangements to communicate with customers requiring assistance in case of an emergency
Your energy and water companies can put special arrangements in place for communicating with you in case of an emergency, for example if you require alternative communication methods such as personal phone call or visit.
Conveniently located meters
If you are disabled and cannot easily access your electricity or gas prepayment meter your supplier can move the meter to a convenient location for you, as long as it is possible to do so safely. Some
companies might apply a
charge for this, so check with your supplier.
How to access any of these services
Contact your supplier if you would like any of these services. If it is easier for you, your supplier can make the arrangements for you through a friend, relative or carer (or any third party, for example social services, or your nominated advice bureaux or housing association). They can be contacted by: • telephone • letter or email • a form on their website • textphone or Typetalk or in Braille, large print or audio tape Your supplier’s contact details will be on the back of a gas or electricity bill, or on an annual statement if you use a prepayment meter.
Rising Fuel Costs
Worried about the rise in fuel costs?
The current price cap, which applies until 31 September 2022, is £1,971 a year - and that amount was a £693 rise (54%) from the previous cap six months earlier. *Now Energy price cap expected to rise by £830 to £2,800 in October. 1. Switch off lights in empty rooms 2. Close curtains at dusk 3. Set thermostats correctly
Hot water tank thermostat between 60-65C
Room thermostat between 18-21C (or 21-23C if there are older people, very young children, or someone with health difficulties in the home) 4. Turn electrical appliances off at the plug rather than leaving them on standby 5. Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need each time you boil it 6. Cook with lids on pans and match ring size to saucepan size 7. Avoid placing furniture in front of a radiator 8. Wait until you have a full load before using a washing machine, and try using a lower temperature (30C) 9. Use a shower instead of a bath if possible 10. Tumble dryers cost a lot to run – dry clothes outside or on a clothes rail for free
Get help applying for Universal Credit
Help to Claim is a dedicated service from Citizens Advice. It’s free, independent and confidential. Call us for free: 0800 023 2581 (Scotland) 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Chat to an adviser online at cas.org.uk/helptoclaim (available 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday) Need Help?
Contact the office to find out how to access an appointment with our Energy Advisor today!
