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The latest energy saving technologies will keep homes warm and bills down this winter!

The government’s plans to drastically reduce carbon emissions over the next three decades means long term energy saving is now more important than ever.  Encouragingly, consumers are now actively looking out for the latest green technologies that can be easily implemented into their homes so they can help to keep carbon emissions and energy consumption down while saving money on soaring energy bills too.

Most home owners are already doing what they can to warm up and keep their bills down – this includes taking simple measures like ensuring there is sufficient draught proofing and insulation in place and also that they switch electrical appliances off when they are not in use.

Craig Dodsworth, Market Manager for next generation energy saving glass Planitherm, said:  “It’s more important than ever that home owners know about the latest green technologies that will make their homes even more energy efficient. Energy bills are constantly rising and increasing media coverage means people are becoming more aware of the need to reduce carbon emissions.

“There really is no excuse not to get on board with a vast range of energy saving improvements available for the home - spanning from simple, inexpensive fixes to more long-term investments that often turn out to give a great return.

“Installing new windows with an energy saving glass like Planitherm can save you up to 28% on your energy bills and it costs the same as regular glass. Wise home owners are starting to recognise these products and make smart investments for the future.” 

There are lots of new technologies available to help home owners savvy up and keep energy bills down this winter. Here are a few of Craig’s recommendations:

LED Lightbulbs

A field trial of LED light fittings in social housing says the new technology can deliver huge energy savings. The study, carried out by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), measured the performance of more than 4,250 LED light fittings installed at 35 sites.  The EST said it carried out the trial because an increasing number of LED lights were now commercially available.  It is predicted the technology could dominate the lighting market by 2015⁽¹⁾.

Energy Saving Glass

Next generation energy saving glass like Planitherm can be fitted within any double or triple glazed window. Costing around the same as normal window glass, it provides the easiest possible route to an A rated ⁽²⁾ window and is a long term investment that will help to save home owners up to 28% on their energy bills. In fact, windows with energy efficient glass such as Planitherm in them can help to reduce heat loss by 50% compared to traditional windows and frames.

Electricity Monitors

Electricity monitors measure the electricity in a home and can save you up to 15% ⁽³⁾ on home or office electric bills – they are simple to set up and involve fitting a wireless monitor to the electricity supply. They show where all the power is going and how to cut back on usage. With this monitor in place, it is possible to begin to calculate the carbon footprint of your home.

Solar Panels

In 2010 and 2011 solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV) really took off as a long term energy solution for home owners. They capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic cells, and this can then be used as energy for the home. The government pays a feed in tariff to people who install solar panelling. This means homeowners can earn money on the unused electricity generated from the panels by selling it back to the ‘grid’, making it a good investment for home owners. Beware though, this tariff was cut in half by the government in December, which is causing discontent among consumers.

Biomass Systems

Wood-fuelled heating systems, also called biomass systems, burn wood pellets, chips or logs to provide warmth in a single room or to power central heating and hot water boilers. A stove burns the fuel and may be fitted with a back boiler to provide water heating as well. A boiler burns logs, pellets or chips and is connected to a central heating and hot water system. A wood-fuelled boiler could save a home nearly £600 a year compared to electric heating.

“Regardless of budget there are plenty of initiatives you can put in place to use less energy and help the UK in its transition into a low carbon economy.  By all pulling in the same direction, we can contribute and help to meet the ambitious targets set out by the government’s Carbon Reduction Plan,” concludes Craig.

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Notes to editors:

About Saint-Gobain:

Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction markets, designs, manufactures and distributes building materials, providing innovative solutions to the challenges of growth, energy efficiency and environmental protection. With 2010 sales of €40.1 billion, Saint-Gobain operates in 64 countries and has nearly 190,000 employees.

In the UK and Ireland, some of the best known and respected companies in the construction industry are part of Saint-Gobain. Alongside Saint Gobain Glass these include British Gypsum, Isover, Solaglas, Weber, Saint-Gobain PAM, Pasquill, Ecophon and Saint-Gobain Solar. Together they offer a range of high performance energy-saving products and solutions to help create a more sustainable built environment.

For more information on Saint-Gobain visit www.saint-gobain.co.uk.

Refrerences:

(1)   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16199552

(2)   http://www.bfrc.org/consumer/index.aspx

(3)   http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energyandwaterefficiencyinyourhome/DG_172540