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Working together to beat
rising prices
No one can have
failed to feel the impact of rising food and
fuel prices especially those with young
children or living on a low fixed income.
Listed below are some ways of working with
others to make your money go further, make
new friends and reduce your environmental
footprint.
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Help each other to get the
best deal for energy and water.
Could you become a
local energy or water champion or could your
local community group offer this service?
The government are requiring all energy
providers to offer vulnerable households low
cost social tariffs including those that use
key or card meters. Why not talk with
family, friends and neighbours and help each
other find out if you can get a better deal
for energy and water. Not everyone has
access to the Internet or is good at reading
meters and sending off for or completing
forms. If you think you could become a
local champion and are interested in
receiving information and training on energy
and water saving contact Rose Hunter Tel
01392 814471 or email
rose.hunter@dcha.co.uk For free advice
about Energy Efficiency, Telephone 0800 512
012 and for water contact:
South West Water,
Telephone
0800 169 1144
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Check your home has loft
insulation (250mm is desirable),
cavity wall insulation and double glazed
windows. If you have any concerns contact
your Landlord.
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Make sure doors are draught
proofed.
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Make sure you know how to use
your heating system. You could be wasting
energy and money. Read your heating
operation manual or if you don’t have one or
are unsure about your heating system contact
your Housing Officer.
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Get used to checking your
energy meters and taking readings. By doing
this you will be able to estimate how much
heating and lighting costs you.
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Turn off lights when you
leave a room and use energy efficiency light
bulbs, each bulb used could save you £8
per year on your electricity bill.
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Only boil the amount of water
you need in your kettle.
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Turn off televisions, videos,
stereos and computers when they are not in
use - they can use between 10 and 60%
of the power they use when on.
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Don't leave fridge doors open
for longer than necessary and where possible
don't stand cookers and fridges/freezers
next to each other.
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Close curtains at dusk to
keep in heat.
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Let your clothes dry
naturally rather than using a tumble drier.
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Turning down the thermostat
for your heating by 1 degree could
cut your heating bill by 10% and set
your water thermostat for 60 degrees.
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Buy A rated white
goods – fridges and washing machines.
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Change to a green electricity
tariff; electricity generated from renewable
energy like wind or water. Most utilities
provide it and
Ecotricity and
Good Energy provide nothing else.
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Use rechargeable batteries.
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Why not
celebrate
energy saving week this year
and make a pledge to reduce your energy
consumption by 20%.
