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Keep warm, save cash
With the cold weather drawing in, Hull's official eco family provides tips for staying warm while reducing carbon emissions and cutting fuel bills
Did you know that keeping your curtains drawn can make your home warmer?
And did you know that turning your heating down by just one degree could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent?
These are just some of the things that Gillian Beadle and her daughter Leah (pictured right) will be thinking about as winter draws in.
The family, of New Bridge Road, east Hull, are hoping to encourage thousands of households across the city to become 'greener' after winning the competition to become Hull's official eco family.
"Draft excluders at the bottom of doors and around doorways are also good ways to trap in heat," says Gillian, a single parent, who works part-time for a charity as a support worker with vulnerable adults.
"There are plenty of simple ways to save money on fuel bills, but still keep warm.
"At the same time we're helping the environment because we're cutting down on the amount of energy we use and therefore reducing carbon emissions."
Gill's tips
- remember to switch off lights every time you leave the room, and use energy-saving light bulbs
- cover pots and pans when cooking – they will boil much more quickly
- defrost your freezer regularly in order to keep it running economically
- use a microwave rather than a conventional oven to heat up small amounts of food as this can save energy
- washing clothes at 30 degrees can be just as effective for a normally soiled load
- avoid tumble drying – dry clothes outdoors or on indoor hangers where possible
- run your washing machine or dishwasher with full loads
- don't leave appliances such as TV's and computers on stand-by
Hull Warm Zone
More than half the heat lost in your home escapes through the walls and roof, but Hull homeowners and private tenants can have cavity wall and/or loft insulation installed for £75 each (compared to an average price from a private contractor of £300 for loft insulation and £380 for cavity wall insulation).
Homeowners or private tenants who receive certain benefits or who are over 70 can have both for free.
For more information contact Hull Warmzone on 300300.
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