With British Gas warning that household energy bills are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future, people are looking at what they can do to keep warm and reduce costs, especially with autumn fast approaching.
One of the best ways to save money is to create a more energy-efficient home. But many people do not have vast sums of money to plough into their homes to make extensive energy-saving improvements. The good news is that homeowners can take smaller, practical steps to keep costs down, although they often need to be made aware of these. As such, as well as being trusted “tradespeople”, the best plumbers and heating engineers are also trusted advisors. And the more installers know about energy-saving products and trends, the more value they can offer their customers.
According to one report, plumbers are vital in advising customers on which products to buy. Indeed, 74% of customers will ask plumbers for advice when choosing a product, with 80% reporting that customers like help with their interior design ideas. Of course, to anyone in the trade, these findings come as no surprise. Despite living in an increasingly digital world, we all still turn to people we know and trust when making decisions. And when it comes to keeping warm and reducing costs, there are some cost-effective, quick-fix actions that all installers should be recommending.
Turning the combi boiler flow temperature down to 60°C
According to the UK government, reducing the combi boiler flow temperature to 60°C could save households up to £100 a year. However, the government warns anyone over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions to consider a flow temperature of 65°C, as this will help them warm their homes quicker, so installers should bear this in mind.
Using Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
According to the Energy Saving Trust – in addition to insulation – heating systems should be the priority for anyone looking to make cost and carbon cuts. Fitting TRVs is an inexpensive and effective way to keep rooms at the required temperature. However, while many homes are already fitted with TRVs, they are frequently turned up as high as they will go, leading to overly hot rooms and wasted energy. As such, plumbers and heating engineers play a vital role in advising consumers on which products to buy – and how to use them.
Turning the radiators down in unused rooms
Proper radiator usage is something we have been passionate about for many years. And we advocate using a holistic range of heating control products – including TRVs – to help achieve the perfect balance of comfort and efficiency.
Turning radiator valves down to between 2.5 and 3 in unused rooms, and only turning them up when needed, could save an average home up to £70 a year. The government recommends against turning off radiators completely, as keeping them at a low setting can be more energy-efficient when people need to warm them up. Again, the advice is slightly different for people over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions, and they should ensure a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C.
Switching to energy-efficient taps & showers
Using better products is another way homeowners can benefit from reduced heating and hot water bills. Savings can be achieved via energy-tracking apps and smart meters, or by switching to energy-saving lightbulbs. And the latest energy-efficient taps and showers can be installed quickly, cost-effectively, and with minimal fuss.
For example, our taps and showers use advanced technology to meet the highest quality and eco-efficiency standards.
- Cold Open. Delivering real energy-savings, our Cold Open cartridge system does not mix hot and cold water, so it saves on the amount of hot water used. You simply turn the handle to the required position to increase the temperature.
- Eco Aerator. Whether you have high or low water pressure, you can save water and money with an aerator and flow straightener. As part of our environmental commitment to reduce water usage, we have fitted many of our products with an aerator, to allow for early aeration at lower pressure. The result is a full and pleasant water stream whilst limiting the flow at higher pressure. So you can reduce water usage without reducing performance. Where a flow straightener is required, this option is available as part of the fitting kit.
- Tech Air. Our advanced Tech Air system mixes air with incoming water to reduce consumption by at least 30% in our shower products. It also offers a softer and more comfortable water spray.
To learn more about our energy-saving products range, contact us for a copy of our latest brochures today.
