Saving Power

In addition to the benefit of a lower electricity bill, reducing our energy consumption is vital if we are to protect our environment. The following is just a few ways this can be done.

Fit a thick jacket to your water cylinder.

This is cheap and is easy to do. The thicker the better. if you do little else to reduce electricity use, do this!.

Turn down the hot water cylinder thermostat

This costs nothing and can save £££s. If your water is too hot to hold your hand under, and you usually need to add cold water to it then this is a must.

Turn off the TV using the power switch

The standby (red light when using the remote off button) in many TVs just turn of the picture and mute the sound. The TV is still on and using power in standby mode.

Use energy saving or low energy lamps

These really do save energy and last many times longer than conventional 'bulbs'. They cannot be used with a dimmer switch and sometimes take a few seconds to reach full brightness after turning them on. They are particularly suitable for use in hallways and utility areas, but can be used almost anywhere.

Use a dimmer switch

Dimmer switches not only help to create an improved ambience but can also save electricity. A double whammy!

Use lower wattage lamps

Most lamps come in several wattage ratings. You will probably not notice the difference in light after swapping 100 watt bulbs for 60 watt. You will notice a difference in your bills.

Sort out security lighting

The standard tungsten halogen 'automatic' security light uses copious amounts of power. If you have one that keeps triggering for no apparent reason, stays on over night, comes on during the day, illuminates most of your neighbor's home, or will give you enough light to stage a floodlit test match, then try some of the following:

	Reduce the time, sensitivity and 'lux' (daylight activation) settings on the sensor. Two or three little fiddly knobs on the underside of the sensor usually perform these functions some perseverance and patience is required as this often only achieved by a 'trial and error' approach. The instruction manual will sometimes help (it can also be hindrance!). Some sensors have a test mode which will require the instruction book.
	Point the sensor away from public pavements, roads, trees and anything that generates heat such as a boiler flue. (A small piece of plasticine, or blu-tack firmly positioned on the lens so that the sensor cannot see certain areas is possible but this takes quite a bit of trial and error and is prone to falling off.)
	Change the 'bulb' for a lower wattage. This is easy to do if the case screw hasn't rusted up. using a 200 or 300 watt lamp in place of the usual 500 watt will bring significant savings for surprisingly marginal light loss.
	The best option is to change the fitting for a modern low energy dusk to dawn light. They are much more reliable, give constant light and are cheaper to run and maintain. Lamp-life is years rather than months (or even weeks)

Insulate your loft

This is a must!. If your heating is gas then you're not going to save much electricity, but it's worth checking with your local council, you may be able to get a grant to cover some of the cost of this.

Replace appliances with energy saving versions

All white goods now have an energy rating. Its always worth paying a little bit more for an appliance with a higher energy rating. The additional cost is quickly recouped in lower electricity bills.

Switch things off

An extremely effective and fairly obvious and basic strategy, yet one of the most difficult to instigate in the average household, is to turn off anything that can be switched off when not in use. This may require drastic lifestyle changes for some members of your household and is likely to require strategically planned diplomacy and tact to avoid often extreme withdrawal symptoms!. This suggestion is included in these pages for posterity and in aspirations of a fantasy utopia, rather than for any practical purpose. No liability whatsoever for any adverse reactions to this suggestion can be accepted by Lomax Electrical should you decide to pursue this course of action. :-)

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