How Much Does Double Glazing and Insulation Save?

As fuel costs continue to spiral ever upwards, recent news stories have pointed out the plight of increasing numbers of consumers who are struggling to pay the bills.

More significantly, vastly increased numbers are getting themselves into genuine financial problems solely because of fuel payments.

The costs simply keep on climbing. Just three years ago in 2005 the average bill was £676, by next year that will have made its way up to more than double at £1406.

The government believes that the only realistic way to get these bills under control is with improved household energy efficiency in each and every home.

Being a government, nothing happens overnight and they have yet to announce the actual guidelines.

As usual public spirited charities and organisations are the ones with the best advice available at the moment.

According to the Energy Savings Trust there are several simple steps that homeowners can take to knock a hole in their energy bills.

One good idea is to install new energy saving light bulbs.

Other options do require some initial investment for longer term returns, such as double glazed windows, installing a condensing boiler, cavity wall and loft insulation.

There are some other simple cheap options such as draft excluders and jackets for hot water tanks.

Undertaking such measures would reduce the national energy bill by a massive £1.9bn. This translates to £270 per annum for each house in the country.

Other organisations are urging people to take action now before the winter sets in, including Anglian Home Improvements, more commonly known as Anglian Double Glazing, who believe that if householders make the needed alterations to begin saving this will run into thousands of pounds per home over time.

They also remind people that the cost of such improvements should be more than offset by increased home values.

According to Anglian, B-rated double glazing in every window produces energy savings of £110 per year.

There are some other average figures of what various changes to a home could mean in terms of cash savings on fuel bills.

33% of heat goes out through the walls; insulation will mean a saving of £120 per year.

Another big heat loss area is the roof, basic insulation saves £155 a year, and full 270mm would knock £560m off the national fuel bill.

The most efficient condensing type boilers will reduce annual bills by £130.

A simple jacket, easily fitted by anyone around the hot water cylinder, will take bills down by £30.

Setting that cylinder at a fractionally lower temperature of 60°C/140°F will save a further £10.

Those efficient light bulbs will chip away a further £10, and that basic draft proofing will see a drop of £25

Perhaps the most simple and effective way to reduce bills is to get back into the habit of switching things off when we are not using them. Tiny standby lights on TVs, DVDs and so on account for £5 per year.