Save energy around your home and save yourself money.
Heating and hot water
- Make sure you know how to get the most from your heating system. If you feel your home is difficult or expensive to heat,
you can ask your area housing office for a free energy check.
- Set your controls on your heating system to come on only when you need it.
- By turning the thermostat on your heating system down by just 1oC, you can cut up to 10% off your fuel bills.
- Check that your hot-water tank is properly lagged and that your loft is insulated so that you do not lose any heat.
- For most people, hot water at 60oC or 140oF for washing is adequate.
- If you can, take a shower. It can save up to three fifths of the water needed for a bath.
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Condensation and ventilation
- Open windows and use extractor fans to remove moisture caused by cooking, washing and tumble dryers. Keeping condensation
down helps to keep the house warm and prevents damage to decorations.
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Electrical appliances
- Always try to use a washing machine on a full load.
- Make sure there is plenty of ventilation space behind and above your fridge or freezer.
- Buy a fridge thermometer to check the temperature inside. Fridges must operate between 0oC and 4oC, and for freezers it’s between -5oCand -18oC.
- Defrost fridges and freezers regularly.
- Pressure cookers and microwaves are cheaper to run than a normal oven or hob.
- Use low-energy light bulbs.
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Insulation
- Check that your home is properly insulated. As well as your loft, the cavities (gaps) under floors and between walls should
be insulated.
- Help to draught-proof your home by using thick curtains and draught strips on doors.
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Dealing with and choosing a fuel supplier
Since de-regulation of the energy markets in 1999, thousands of households in the UK have changed their fuel supplier and/or
their fuel tariffs. However, there are fewer suppliers in the North of Scotland and the choice is much less. The following
websites will provide an indication of how much you might save depending on your tariff and method of payment
You should always seek independent advice before changing your current supplier or tariff. Contact SCARF and speak to the duty Energy Advisor or click on the links for their factsheets:
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Mobile gas and paraffin heaters
If you are regularly using alternative fuels, contact us for free advice on using and storing them safely.
Further information on energy efficiency is available from SCARF. (This link opens in a new window)
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