Live Q&A with Energy Saving Trust - how to save money & energy! 2pm-3pm today 25 Oct!

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

HI RachelnPaul, if connecting to the grid isn't an option then you could look at installing renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaics which generate electricity. We have a Communities section of our website where you may find useful case studies from other community groups, sources of funding and support services: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe/?tc=mseqa

Ken68

It's time EST for less carrot and more stick. Are there any plans to prosecute wasteful companies , councils and shops that leave lights and computers on after hours.?

Firefly1

Good afternoon,

Is it correct that leaving the heating on lowish all the time is more efficient than switching it off when one is out? Based on this, I now have the thermostat set at 15 degrees all the time and turn it up to 16 in the morning and evening when I am about.

Thanks very much.

singingshutters

What grants are available for internal insulation of solid exterior walls? I live on a house built with single skin (8 or 9 inches) of brick in 1805.

Spicey

Hi, we are renovating a 1928 bungalow, can you tell me how thick should the loft insulation be? Also I have looked into cavity wall insulation and decided not to go ahead as our cavity's are fairly narrow and I understand that filling them would act like a bridge and cause damp. Is this correct?

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

To Shona45
You can insulate a solid walled/stone property from the inside but it's not going to be as simple or as cheap as something like cavity wall insulation unfortunately. Some local authorities provide grants for type of work, but funding isn't as mainstream as it is for loft and cavity insulation. keep an eye on our Grants and Offers pages where you can find details of grant schemes in your area: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Easy-ways-to-stop-wasting-energy/Energy-saving-grants-and-offers/?tc=mseqa

ChrisJD

Firefly1 wrote: »

Is it correct that leaving the heating on lowish all the time is more efficient than switching it off when one is out? Based on this, I now have the thermostat set at 15 degrees all the time and turn it up to 16 in the morning and evening when I am about.

I can't agree. Basic physics - the warmer something is, the more energy it loses to its colder surroundings.

Chris

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

Ken68 - thanks for the question. The Energy Saving Trust provides advice to householders, the Carbon Trust deals with providing advice and carbon savings through commercial buildings. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is being implemented to encourage medium sized enterprises to improve their energy efficiency.

Mixed_Spice

Have the details of the Feed in Tariffs been anounced yet? and do you have a list of companies offering debt based and non-debt based renewable energy schemes?

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

To Spicey
Loft insulation, if using mineral wool, should be installed to a depth of 270-300mm.
If you are unsure about cavity wall insualtion, most installers do offer a free borescope test whereby they are able to look inside the cavity to find out if it is a suitable depth, or if there are any other issues with it that will prohibit insulation. if it is suitable then use a CIGA registered installer which will provide a 25 year guarantee against defects in material and workmanship. The modern cavity insulation materials shouldn't cause damp issues, but you must ensure that the cavity doesn't already have damp inside it.