Heating and Insulation
The average UK household generates 2690kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) from space heating and hot water heating in 2020. By 2050, we need to reduce this to just 140kg per household.
- Block up unused chimneys
- Carpets and rugs can help reduce draughts up through your floors
- Don’t overheat your water, set it to 60°C (don’t go below 50°C as Legionella bacteria thrive between 20-50°C)
- Draught proof windows, doors, letterboxes
- Fit insulating radiator reflectors behind your heaters
- Get to know your heating system, are the controls set optimally for how you use the property. Check that the times are set correctly
- If you can’t install double-glazing try thick curtains or removable insulation window panels
- If you have enough space outside, you can look at installing an air- or ground-source heat pump (installing a heat pump can reduce heating costs down to 1/3 compared to storage heating)
- If you’re in rented accommodation, ask your landlord to make it more energy efficient
- Insulate hot water tanks and central heating pipes
- Insulate your home, you may qualify for grants to do this, or if you can do this yourself Historic Environment Scotland and the Pebble Trust have guides on renovating your home
- Maintain good ventilation, as this will reduce damp and condensation
- Replace single-glazed windows with double-glazing