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contents
section 1
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Helping you use less energy and cut your bills
Get comfy with gas
Now you’re cooking
Warmth where you need it
Is your boiler energy efficient?
Gas Safety
Carbon monoxide awareness
section 2
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•
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•
•
•
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It’s easy to be energy efficient
Lighten up
Chill out
Top cookery tips
Laundry can cost less
Standby to save
What’s watt?
section 3
•
•
Small changes can make a big difference
How can we help you?
Smell
Gas? 0808 1624 444
For emergencies and leaks please call our freephone number
24 hours a day 365 days a year
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helping
you use less energy
and cut your bills
Nobody wants to spend more money than they have
to, so it’s good to know that just by making a few small
changes you can do your bit to help the environment
and save money into the bargain.
In this booklet you’ll find a host of handy hints and tips
that anyone can use to cut their gas, electricity or water
usage – it’s easy.
If you have questions or would like more information on
any of the subjects covered in this booklet, please call
our Energysave team on:
01624 644446.
get
comfy
with gas
Did you know that the average Island household wastes around 1/3
of their energy simply by not being energy aware?
There are lots of ways you can reduce the amount of gas you use.
By following our tips you could have a warmer, more comfortable
home that’s better for the environment and saves you money.
Take control
Did you know that turning your heating down by just 1°C could
save you up to 10% on your bill?
A properly controlled heating system should have:
•
A programmer so that you can set ‘on’ and ‘off’ periods. Some
systems switch the heating and hot water on and off at the same
time, whilst others allow you to set them to come on and go off
independently.
•
A room thermostat so that you can select the room temperature,
the optimum range is between 18°C and 21°C. Once the room
gets to the right temperature, your heating will then automatically
switch off, which saves you money.
•
If you have a separate hot water tank you will have a cylinder
thermostat to control the temperature of the water in the tank.
Turn it down to 60°C and the water will still be hot enough to kill
any bacteria and you’ll save energy.
•
Thermostatic Radiator Valves, which allow you to control the
temperature in each room. Once the room reaches the required
temperature the radiators will switch off automatically.
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cooking
Did you know that most professional chefs prefer cooking with gas?
Although cookers and hobs are one of the most efficient ways to cook,
you can still save money by following our simple energy saving cooking
tips:
•
Always use the correct size pan, this saves gas and also stops
your pans being damaged.
•
Cut food into smaller pieces to reduce the cooking time.
•
When cooking vegetables it’s more energy efficient to boil the
water in a kettle first, rather than in the pan.
•
Only use enough water to cover the food being cooked, and turn
down the heat as soon as soon as the water comes to the boil.
•
Don’t forget to put the lid on as this speeds up the cooking time.
•
‘One-pot’ dishes such as soups, casseroles and stir fries use less
gas.
•
You don’t need to pre-heat gas grills and ovens for most dishes,
as they heat up much more quickly.
It’s useful to have an idea of how much gas the appliances in your
home use so you can estimate how much energy you are using. The
amount of gas used is measure in kilowatt hours (kWh) and your gas
bill will show you how we calculate your charges.
now you’re
cooking
appliances
So what’s the biggest gas-guzzler in your house?
Item
Duration
Units used (kWh)
Cooker
1 week’s meals
(based on a
family of 4)
34
Grill (on full heat)
1 hour
4
Hob (on full)
1 hour
3.5
Hob (on low)
1 hour
0.25
Oven (Gas Mark 7)
1 hour
1.5
Oven (Gas Mark 2)
1 hour
0.1
Radiant/convector gas fire (on full)
1 hour
4
Radiant/convector gas fire (on low)
1 hour
1
Wall heater (on full)
1 hour
2
Decorative open-effect fire
1 hour
3.5
Instantaneous water heater
1 day
11
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warmth
where you need it
Did you know that fuel-effect fires are not an efficient way to heat a
room – often only 25% of the heat actually goes into the room?
If you need some additional heat it might be a good idea to invest in
some individual gas room heaters. There are two main types:
•
Wall convector heaters: these are usually fitted to an outside wall,
as they need a balanced flue to provide them with air, which helps
the gas burn properly. These are a very efficient form of heater as
around 70% of the heat goes into the room.
•
Radiant convectors: these individual heaters take their air supply
from the room instead of a flue. They can be up to 90% efficient,
however sufficient fresh air must be brought into the room for them
to operate properly.
01624 644446.
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is your boiler energy
efficient
Did you know that if your boiler is more than 15 years old it could be
up to 35% less efficient than a new ‘A’ rated condensing boiler? *
There are two main types of boiler; regular boilers supply radiators and
a separate storage cylinder for hot water, whilst combination or ‘combi’
boilers supply your radiators and also provide instant hot water without
a water tank.
Condensing boilers are designed to extract and re-use more of the
heat that would normally be lost up the flue, so they are much more
efficient than a standard boiler. They cost around £50 more to buy but
can save you money on your heating bills.
For more information on our range of ‘A’ rated condensing boilers or a
FREE no obligation quotation to have your new boiler installed, call our
Customer Service Team on:
01624 644446.
*Based on replacing a 15 year-old boiler with a new ‘A’ rated condensing boiler in a house
with average levels of insulation.
gas
safety
Gas is a very safe fuel when used properly, so you should always
keep the instructions that come with any gas appliance, and
remember to follow these simple rules:
•
Don’t use a gas appliance if you think it’s not working properly.
•
Ensure that ventilation bricks, grilles or outside flues aren’t
covered or blocked.
•
Make sure that your gas appliances are serviced at least once a
year by Manx Gas or a GAS SAFE registered engineer.
•
If you smell gas, or suspect there’s a leak call our
Emergency Helpline immediately on: 0808 1624
444.
DON’T call from a mobile phone, DON’T smoke and DON’T turn
electric switches on or off. DO put out any naked flames, DO
open doors and windows and keep away from the affected area
and DO turn off the gas at the control valve.
To work legally on the Isle of Man, all gas installers must be registered
by GAS SAFE. We are the Island’s leading GAS SAFE gas installer
and will even carry out an installation for you if you have purchased
a product from another supplier. Please remember to get your gas
boiler and other appliances checked and serviced regularly by a
GAS SAFE registered engineer. To book a service or appliance check,
please call: 01624 644418.
Smell
Gas? 0808 1624 444
For emergencies and leaks please call our freephone number
24 hours a day 365 days a year
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Whilst new gas appliances are extremely reliable and usually covered
by a 12-month guarantee, it’s handy to have an extended warranty for
added reassurance. For just a few pence a day we can cover your
heating and hot water system, cooker or gas fire. For more details
please call our Service Care team on:
01624 644418.
carbon monoxide
awareness
Carbon Monoxide Awareness: Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas,
which is produced by incomplete burning of gas and liquid petroleum,
which happens when an appliance has been fitted incorrectly, badly
maintained or repaired.
You can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but it can cause serious health
problems and even death if breathed in over a long period. The
symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu, so if
you experience any of the symptoms listed below but feel better once
you are away from the appliance you may be suffering from carbon
monoxide poisoning and should contact your GP:
•
Headache
•
Dizziness
•
Nausea
•
Breathlessness
•
Dry throat
•
Vomiting
So how can you tell if you have carbon monoxide in your home? Well,
there are a few warning signs you need to look out for:
•
The flame on your cooker should be blue; a lazy yellow or orange
flame may mean your cooker needs to be checked.
•
There is soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances.
•
Increased levels of condensation in the room where the appliance
is installed.
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Pilot lights frequently blow out.
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Fumes or smoke in the house.
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Solid fuel fires burn more slowly than usual.
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Protect yourself
You can be more at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning when you
are asleep as you won’t be aware of the symptoms, so an audible
carbon monoxide detector could wake you up and save your life.
Carbon monoxide alarms are available from our showroom on South
Quay, or at most hardware or DIY stores. You should make sure that
you buy a carbon monoxide detector that complies with British
Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval
kitemark. Please make sure that the alarm is installed and maintained
in-line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
A carbon monoxide monitor is not a substitute for proper installation or
maintenance of gas appliances. You should always make sure that a
Manx Gas engineer regularly maintains your appliances.
What to do if carbon monoxide is in your home
•
Switch off the faulty appliance and do not use it again until it has
been inspected or repaired by a Manx Gas or other GAS SAFE
registered engineer.
•
Switch off the gas supply by the control valve if you know where it is.
•
Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room.
•
Call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0808
•
Call or visit your GP immediately and advise him/her that you may
have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
1624 444
it’s easy to be energy
efficient
What uses the most energy in your home?
Before you can start saving energy, you need to understand where it’s
being used. The diagram below should help you work out which
appliances use the most energy in your home.
•
Lighting 20%
•
Electronics 20%
•
Fridges and freezers 17%
•
Cooking 16%
•
Laundry and dishwasher 15%
•
Miscellaneous 12%
We’ve also put together this table, which shows
the annual running costs for some of the
most popular home appliances.
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Annual running costs for home appliances
Appliance
Annual cost
for high use
Annual cost
for low use
Hob – electric
£27
£20
Oven - electric
£25
£10
Kettle
£17
£10
Microwave
£8
£5
Fridge-freezer
£65
£20
Dishwasher
£41
£20
Washing machine
£27
£15
Tumble drier
£36
£18
Lighting
£72
£15
TV
£15
£10
Computer
£30
£15
Central heating controls
£28
£15
Central heating pumps
£12
£5
Look for the label
Before you buy any new appliance, it’s a good idea to check it’s energy
efficiency rating as it can vary quite a bit from appliance to appliance.
Some new appliances now come with special ‘energy labels’, which
show their efficiency rating on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least
efficient) and some super-efficient appliances have an A+ or A++ rating.
Appliances rated ‘A’ and above cost the least to run and are much
better for the environment. For example, if you replaced a fridge-freezer
bought in 1995 with a new Energy Recommended one, you could save
£45 a year on the amount of electricity you use.
Look out for the Energy Saving Recommended logo as these are given
to the most energy efficient appliances. Visit
www.energysavingstrust.org for more information.
At the moment, manufacturers only have to put
energy labels on the following appliance
•
Fridges
•
Freezers
•
Fridge-freezers
•
Dishwashers
•
Washing machines
•
Electric tumble driers
•
Electric ovens
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Light bulbs
•
Air conditioners
For other appliances you can check on the manufacturers website,
or look in the brochure to find out how much energy they use.
lighten
up
Did you know that just one low energy bulb could save you up to £7
a year?
In most homes, lighting accounts for around 20% - 25% of the total
electricity bill, so you can save a considerable amount of money each
year, simply by replacing ordinary bulbs with energy saving light bulbs.
Whilst they are slightly more expensive than traditional bulbs, they
do last up to 10 times longer so for every bulb you replace, you could
save up to £7 each year or around £60 over the bulb’s lifetime – and
they also come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours so they
are pretty stylish too.
Energy saving bulbs use 25% less energy than traditional light bulbs
but give out the same amount of light, so they can really help to reduce
your bills. Just look at how they compare with ordinary bulbs.
Ordinary bulbs
Equivalent low energy bulbs
40W
7 – 10W
60W
15 – 18W
100W
20 – 25W
150W
32W
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You can also reduce your lighting bill by following these simple tips:
•
Fit low wattage bulbs wherever possible.
•
Turn off lights you don’t need, but leave enough lighting for
hallways and stairs.
•
Fluorescent tubes are the best choice for kitchens
as they give out most light.
•
Spotlights can be more expensive to run than other
lighting so try not to leave them on for a long time.
•
Keep bulbs clean, they give out less light when
they are dirty.
•
Darker lampshades reduce the amount of
light given out, so choose lighter ones.
•
Fit automatic sensors and timers
to outside lights.
chill
out
We’ve put together this list of helpful tips to help you get the most from
your fridge or freezer.
•
When buying a new fridge or freezer, remember to check the
energy label. An A, A+ or A++ rated appliance will cost much less
to run.
•
Don’t position your fridge or freezer in direct sunlight or next to
your cooker.
•
Make sure that air can circulate around the back of your fridge
or freezer.
•
Defrost your fridge or freezer on a regular basis. As a general
guide, ice should never be more than 6mm thick around
the icebox.
•
Let hot food cool thoroughly before you put it in your fridge
or freezer.
•
Don’t leave the fridge door open for longer than you need to.
•
Chest freezers are more efficient than upright freezers as cool air
drops out of an upright freezer when you open the door.
•
Use a thermometer to check that the thermostat on your fridge
or freezer is set to the correct temperature. If it’s too low, food
won’t keep as well and the appliance will use more energy.
(According to Food Hygiene Regulations, the temperature in your
fridge should be no more than 5°C).
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The star-rating system for freezers tells you what
can freeze and for how long
Star rating
Freezer temperature
Food storage
****
-18°C or colder
Can freeze
fresh food
and store for
3 to 12 mths
***
-18°C
Stores
pre-frozen
food for
3 - 12 mths
**
-12°C
Stores
pre-frozen
food for up to
one month
*
-6°C
Stores
pre-frozen
food for up to
one month
top cookery
tips
Did you know that even chopping your food smaller before cooking it
can help you save energy?
•
Make toast in a toaster, not under the grill.
•
Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need, but make
sure you cover the element.
•
Use the right sized pan for the cooking ring.
•
Use pans that you can divide into sections so that you can cook
more than one item at a time.
•
When cooking vegetables only use enough water to cover the
food, put the lid on and simmer rather than boil.
•
Cook large batches of food at the same time and freeze any food
that you don’t need that day.
•
Take any shelves you aren’t using out of the oven.
•
Microwaves are quick and very economical to use, so remember to
use them for cooking fresh food, not just defrosting and reheating
e.g. a jacket potato will take 5 – 10 minutes to cook in a microwave
compared with an hour in the oven.
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laundry can cost
less
Did you know if you wash clothes at 30°C every third wash is free?
•
Use the economy washing programme for small loads or those
that aren’t very dirty.
•
Always try to put a full load in your washing machine or
tumble drier.
•
Front loading washing machines are usually more efficient than
top loading models.
•
Modern washing machines and detergents work just as well
at lower temperatures. Washing at 30°C instead of a higher
temperature can use 40% less electricity.
•
When the weather is good, dry your clothes outside.
•
Before you tumble dry your clothes, make sure you spin them first
as they will dry more quickly.
•
Try not to dry your clothes for too long, or on a very high heat, as it
will take longer to iron them.
•
When ironing, start with clothes that need a cooler temperature
and finish with those that need a hotter setting as this will save time
and energy.
•
If you’re buying a new washing machine or tumble dryer look for
the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Machines bearing this logo
cost less to run and could save you up to £8 a year on your
electricity bill.
stand by to
save
Did you know that by switching off appliances at the wall, you could
save 6% on your energy bill?
Our homes are filled with appliances that are using energy all the time;
your TV, DVD player and hi-fi all use energy even when they aren’t in
use and in some households this can be equivalent to leaving a 100W
light bulb on for a whole year. Generally speaking, the only appliances
you need to leave on all the time are:
•
Standby reduction devices.
•
Remote garage door openers.
•
Gas and oil boilers and heating controls.
•
Home security systems and sensor lights.
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Everything else, such as your TV, can be switched off at the wall but
to reduce your energy bills further you should change to models with
lower consumption and switch them off at the wall when you’re not using
them or invest in a standby reduction device. This is a special adaptor,
into which you plug your TV or DVD player, and when it’s switched to
standby it automatically turns off all the other devices. Standby reduction
devices are available at our showrooms on South Quay.
The power switch on many new appliances does not completely switch
off all the power, so to be sure you need to switch it off at the wall, or
unplug the device. Appliances that use power continuously but
can be switched off include:
•
Battery and phone chargers
•
Bread makers
•
Coffee makers
•
Computers
•
DVD players/recorders
•
Games consoles
•
Hand-held vacuum cleaners
•
Microwaves (if the clock isn’t needed)
•
Plug-in air fresheners
•
Rechargeable toothbrushes
•
TVs
•
VCRs
what’s
watt
All modern household appliances are rated in watts or kilowatts, which
tells you how much energy an appliance will use over a certain amount
of time. The higher the rating of appliance, the more energy
it will use, so for example, a 100-watt light bulb will use one unit of
electricity every 10 hours.
If you are keen to reduce your energy consumption and your bills,
it is worth getting to know the rating of your appliances so that you
understand which use the most energy and cost the most to run.
The science behind your bills
•
Electricity is measured in watts (W).
•
Your electricity consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours.
•
1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt (kW).
•
1 kilowatt hour (kWh) = 1,000W or 1 unit.
•
The amount of units you use are added up to calculate your bill.
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small changes
can make a big
difference
You don’t have to go to extremes to reduce the amount of energy you
use and save money on your bills, there are lots of little things we can
all do that can make a big difference so it’s worth starting with some
low-cost measures first.
Keep heat at home
Most of the money we spend on energy goes on heating our homes,
so when you think that up to 25% heat can be lost through the roof
and 35% through the walls, it pays to insulate them well.
It’s relatively simple to deal with the annoying little draughts by fitting
devices like keyhole and letterbox covers or using draught strips for
windows and doors. You can also use silicon sealer to fill gaps around
any poorly fitting window frames and gaps between skirting boards or
window frames. If you’re not using a chimney you should seal it up and
fit a grille. This will reduce the heat lost up the chimney but will still
provide ventilation as this prevents condensation build-up and will
make sure that fuel-burning heaters operate safely and efficiently.
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If your home was built after 1930, it’s highly likely that your external
walls have a cavity, which can be filled with a special insulation material
to prevent heat from leaking out. If you live in an older property with
solid walls it will be more difficult to insulate and you will need to seek
advice from a specialist installer.
When carried out by a professional, the installation of cavity wall and
loft insulation is usually pretty straightforward, however if you’re a keen
DIY enthusiast you might want to install your own loft insulation – and
don’t forget that hot and cold water pipes in the loft must be lagged to
stop them freezing in the winter!
Home improvement grants are available from the Isle of Man
Government to help you pay for the cost of insulating your home –
please visit www.gov.im/dlge for full details.
So what will it cost to insulate your home and how
much could you save?
Improvement
Savings per year £
Payback (years)
Draught proofing
£20
2 years
Loft insulation (10”/270mm)
£180 - £220
1 year
Loft insulation top-up
£50 - £60
4 -5 years
Cavity wall insulation
£130 - £160
2 years
Note: figures are indicative only and will vary based upon the size of your house source:
www.energysavingtrust.org
Other energy saving tips
Unless you’re planning to change your windows anyway, it’s not
cost effective to install double-glazing just to save energy, but
secondary-glazing panels can be a good alternative. These can either
be left in place or removed and stored during the summer months.
Did you know that if you run a power shower for more than 5 minutes,
you are using more water than it takes to fill a bath? You can still enjoy
your power shower but reduce the amount of water you use by fitting
a ‘low flow’ showerhead. This mixes air with the water to give the
same invigorating feeling, but cuts water consumption by up to 70%.
Gas and oil central heating systems can actually account for over
10% of a home’s electricity consumption. If you have an old system
the circulating pump may be in use, even when your house is
comfortably warm, which wastes a lot of energy. By changing your
pump for an ‘A’ rated model you could save up to 100kWh per year. A
central heating engineer can advise you if your pump operation can be
improved.
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how else can we help
you?
If you’re already a Manx Gas customer we’d like to thank you for
staying with us, and hope that you found this booklet helpful. If you
aren’t a Manx Gas customer we’d love you to join us. Please call us
on 01624 644446 or visit our website www.manxgas.com to find out
more about our products and services.
We provide special help and advice and information for customers
who are over 60, have a disability, or are chronically sick. Phone us
today on 01624 644446.
We also offer full protection for your gas boiler and central heating
systems, with annual safety and maintenance inspections carried
out by GAS SAFE registered engineers. Emergency protection 24
hours, 365 days. To find out more about Service Care, please call
01624 644418.
For gas sales and general enquiries please either visit our gas
showroom on South Quay in Douglas, or call us on 01624 644446.
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me first with Ma
omers co
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...call into our showroom for more details:
Murdoch House • South Quay • Douglas
or contact us today on 01624 644446
manxgas.com