Saving energy at home or at work can be the most cost effective thing you can do. Approximately 80% of the housing stock in Scotland was built pre-1980's when building standards improved. Grants are available for loft and cavity wall insulation, and ovr 70's can get insulation for free. See below for more details.

Saving electricity, gas and water can make a big difference, not only saving us money on fuel bills, but also saving green house gas emissions when we burn fossil fuels like coal and oil to generate the electricity.

What can i do ?

• Take a close look at your energy bills
• Borrow a Smart Meter from the library and install it. Switch off items and see the difference.
• Avoid using Stand-By - Switch off at the wall.
• Replace ordinary bulbs with new low energy CLF or LED light fittings.
• Insulate your loft. It should be 270mm deep (10.5 inches)
• See if your house is suitable for cavity wall insulation
• Fit double glazing to all windows and check the vacuum is ok. If you see condensation in between the two panes of glass, the chances are that the window needs repaired or replaced.
• Fit secondary glazing if you have a listed building and can't replace sash windows with double glazed units. or consider a quote from Ventrolla

Scottish Civic Trust also has a document covering the wood/uPVC secondardy/double glazing debate. Windows: A Frame of Mind

• When replacing electrical appliances, choose A++ or A+ or A rated. and have a look at these energy consumption websites : http://www.sust-it.net/
• Boil the kettle just once and with just enough water. Don't over-fill it.
• Use your oven efficiently and plan cooking so that you can perhaps make a meal and also bake at the same time.
• Hang out washing to dry and avoid using tumble dryers.
• Unplug all of those phone and game chargers when not in use
• Adjust the thermostat on your boiler down a few degrees and also adjust the timer to have it on for shorter periods. Esp in the summer.
• Fit a rain water butt to collect rain water for your garden
• If you have a large older toilet cistern, fit a toilet duck, or place a large stone or filled bottle of water in it. This will displace water each time you flush and re-fill.
• If replacing your boiler choose one that is condensing or even a microCHP boiler which can also generate free electricity for you while heating your home.

Energy Saving sub-group aims : To reduce the local consumption of carbon fuels through effective awareness and advice on energy saving techniques. To promote beneficial energy saving products and to help home owners and businesses save money through more efficient use of carbon fuels.

Actions :

• Farmers Market Stall supported by the Energy Saving Trust
• 1st HotSpot Campaign with Energy Saving Scotland. Over 349 homes surveyed. 189 for cavity wall insulation, 126 for new insulation (currently 100mm or less) and 178 for top-up insulation.
• Smart Meters provided via library for borrowing. Proving quite popular
• City & Guilds training scheduled for members so that they can help with neighbourhood/house visits in the Autumn.
• Access to HEED database in order to look at reports from the town.
• Performing street by street energy audits. Giving 1-2-1 personal advice and encouraging insulation for loft and cavity while also researching awkward setups where normal insulation will not be done.

Links :

Official Organisations :
Energy Saving Trust

Insulation Materials :
Tri-Iso Super 10 - Very thin super insulating for niche problems. V expensive.
Kingspan - Various insulating boards and insulated plasterboard - options for internal cladding if cavity wall doesn't work.

Smart Meters :
www.theowl.com - Battery operated
www.ewgeco.com - No domestic model yet.
www.efergy.com - Battery operated
www.currentcost.com - Runs from the mains. Can be connected to a PC

Excellent link talking about future smart meters that power companies will install across the UK.

Grants and Offers :
Search for grants and offers on the Energy Saving Trust Website

Scottish House Condition Survey 2007 [pdf]