Leisure News

EST: Insulate your hot water tank

04 September 2008

Insulating hot water tanks saves money and pays for itself within months, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) has said.

In news that will interest holders of home insurance policies and other consumers, the EST said that an insulating jacket of at least 75 mm thickness would save a household around £30 a year.

Spokesperson Jon McGowan also advised filling gaps under skirting boards to stop draughts and cutting bills through the use of energy saving light bulbs.

In addition, he recommended people to close their curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.

Along with stopping up gaps, he said, this could save £20 in heating bills per year.

The average home can save £300 a year by becoming properly energy-efficient.

According to the EST, around 33 per cent of heat loss is through walls, so insulating them is the most cost-effective energy saving measure.

Boilers should also be checked in the summer as they usually fail in winter.