DIY products to help stop heat loss at home
In a recent report from intelligent home climate management company tado°, it found that UK homes lose heat significantly faster than European neighbours, even when factoring in outside temperature.
“The UK is a leader in smart technology adoption but is lagging behind Europe when it comes to energy-efficient homes”, says tado° Co-founder & CPO Christian Deilmann. “The good news is that there are lots of great solutions available and a huge opportunity for energy savings to be made.”
Homes account for approximately 15% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions through their use of oil & gas for heating and hot water. These emissions need to be cut significantly by 2030 in order to help meet the UK’s legally binding climate goals, according to the Committee on Climate Change.
Every home is of course different, but knowing where you are losing heat is the first and most important stage, losing heat through your roof equates to 25%, your walls will account for 35%, 10% through floors and drafts through doors and windows makes up the rest.
With the launch of the green homes grant scheme many of us are aware of the need to better insulate our homes but perhaps aren't able to take advantage of the grant, so here are a few DIY products that will help you retain that precious heat this winter, reduce your energy bills and CO2 emissions too!
tado° smart radiator thermostat kit
Make your radiators smart. Save energy and maximise comfort.
The Smart Radiator Thermostat - Starter Kit V3+
If you only have radiators, you can still make your heating smart. Just replace your old radiator valves with tado° Smart Radiator Thermostats and connect them to the internet via the included tado° Internet Bridge.
Save energy or get your money back
They guarantee that you will save more energy with tado°. If you are not satisfied or tado° has not saved enough, you can claim your money back.
- Easy online installation assistant giving step-by-step instructions.
- Control your heating from anywhere with the tado° app on your phone, and have a clear overview of your climate history and savings
- Reduce your energy consumption, save money, and enjoy the perfect room temperature at all times with help from intelligent Skills: Geofencing, Open Window Detection, Weather Adaptation and Smart Schedule
- Auto-Assist: For even more comfort you can automate Geofencing and Open Window Detection and get access to Care and Protect (available in-app, £2.99/month, £24.99/year, cancel anytime)
- Smart Home integration and voice control for your heating with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit & Google Assistant
- The work with the majority of thermostatic radiator valves (vertical mounting)
Price : RRP £119.99
Radflek radiator reflectors
Bristol based Radflek has 'Energy Saving Trust' listed product status in the UK.
It is a energy saving radiator reflector that reflects 95% of the wasted heat energy radiated from the rear of the radiator back into your room.
· EST (Energy Saving Trust) listed product status
· Saves Money
· Cuts your heating bills
· Reduces heat loss by 45%
· Is quick and easy to fit
· Requires NO DIY skills
The Savings
Radflek can pay for itself in about a year (based on UK prices)
Less energy used means a smaller carbon footprint
Radflek maintains its reflectivity for years, whilst kitchen foil degrades very quickly
Tests carried out by the BBA (British Board of Agrément) and verified by the BRE (Building Retail Establishment), show that Radflek reduces heat transfer through walls by 45%, is the most efficient radiator reflector on the market, and is 23%* more efficient at saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions than any other type of radiator reflector.
Carbon and energy savings will depend on fuel type, wall type and how often the heating is switched on. With a solid uninsulated wall using a normal heating cycle, an 8 sheet pack of Radflek will annually save:
- up to 71 kg CO2
- up to £40** Payback in about a year
- A sheet of Radflek will save 8.9 kg CO2 per year or up to 83 kWh of energy per year
- Saw toothed reflectors* of the equivalent size will save only 7.2kg CO2 per year
* Information on competitors provided by Ofgem
**Based on a British Gas Tariff Comparison Rate (TCR) of 5.71 per kWh (Sept’ 2014)
Radflek is a laminated aluminium foil with a long lasting coating that prevents oxidation and preserves its high reflectivity. With Radflek, less energy is needed to heat the room to your desired temperature and so your energy bills will be less. Radflek is at least 23% more efficient than any saw-toothed reflector and will typically pay for itself in under a year
No need for removal of radiators, professional installers, or any sticking to the wall – Radflek just hangs from the wall brackets behind the radiator. Disappears from view once installed. Installation is quick and simple, only taking minutes- anyone can do it
How does it work?
Radiators radiate heat in all directions. If positioned against a wall energy is wasted warming up the wall. Typically as much as 40% of the heat released by a radiator will be directed towards the wall. A Radflek sheet placed between the radiator and the wall minimises heat transferring into and through the wall by reflecting 95% of it back into the room. This means less energy is wasted and less energy is needed to heat the room to the required temperature. (See ‘How it works diagram’ attached separately)
Because Radflek reflects heat back into the room (primarily into the radiator) the radiator will maintain its operating temperature using less energy with a lower load on the boiler.
Unlike Radflek, other radiator reflectors are permanently mounted on the wall behind the radiator and so are difficult to install and to dust (essential for maintaining high reflectivity). Wall mounting also allows conductive heat transfer through the reflector into the wall. This means they are less efficient than Radflek.
Take advantage of 10% off with the code ANZ10 at the Radflek online shop, making the most popular 3 sheet pack only £19.79 + P&P.
