Before you begin to make changes to your home, in order to make it more energy efficient, it is essential to assess how much energy you use in what areas of your home. There are three ways of doing this:

  • Book a private energy efficiency audit through an independent company
  • Carry out an energy audit yourself
  • Speak to Act on Energy about general hints and tips to reduce your energy usage

Whichever option you choose, the result should be a clear report on how much energy you use and a recommendation as to how to reduce your consumption and save money on your fuel bills.

Private Energy Audit

There are now many companies offering to complete a home energy efficiency audit and they will highlight areas where you could save money. It is important to ensure the company completing the audit is suitably qualified before engaging them. Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) can provide you with an Energy Performance Certificate and provide on the spot advice about how you can insulate and heat your home more efficiently.

DIY Energy Audit

If you want to complete the audit yourself, you will need to purchase a few items and understand your fuel bills. Below is a quick guide to completing a DIY energy efficiency audit.

You may want to buy a power meter to measure the amount of electricity your products and appliances use in the home. Also test your appliances when on stand-by or switched off. Many products still use electricity even when you have turned them off.

Work out how much electricity and gas, oil or solid fuel you have used over one year and the total cost.

To work out how much your lighting is costing, add the watt values of all your bulbs and multiply by 365. Check your electricity bill and record the price per kilowatt hour. You will then see how much you pay per year. Do the same with low energy light bulbs and work out the same calculation. You will then see how much electricity you could save every year.

Home Energy Check

Call us for more information on key energy assessment areas for example insulation, usage and appliances. For more information on this see our Home Energy Check page.