National Energy Efficiency Week starts Monday 25th October and the Kent Energy Centre is keen to promote the benefits of saving energy and money in the home. With cold weather just around the corner what can Kent residents do to keep warm and to cut fuel bills this winter?

For instance, if someone offered to slash £200 a year off your gas and electricity bills, would you say ‘yes’? Well, that’s how much the Kent Energy Centre says the average household can save by becoming more energy efficient.

The Kent Energy Centre will be out and about during Energy Efficiency Week at various locations around Kent to promote energy efficiency (click here for details). The Energy Saving Trust is overseeing the promotion, which is also is supported by Kent local authorities.

“Being energy efficient is easy and it’s amazing how much money we can save by making small energy efficiency improvements to our homes” says Mike Bundy from Kent Energy Centre.

Amongst his top tips are:

• Turn your central heating down just one degree - you’ll not really notice the difference but could save up to £30 a year
• Energy-saving light bulbs cost around £5 each but last up to 12 times longer than an ordinary bulb and can save you around £7 a year per bulb
• Insulating your hot water tank with a British Standard jacket (cost about £10) will save you up to £20 a year
• 33 per cent of heat in the home is lost through walls. Insulating them costs from £125 but it could save you £100 a year and so you would recoup your costs in a little over a year.
• Lofts should be insulated to the recommended 25cm. Using a professional to insulate your loft will cost from £100 but can save you up to £100 a year in energy costs.
• In addition, buying a new central heating boiler isn’t cheap but, if yours is more than 15 years old, replacing it with a new one could save 20 per cent on your fuel bill - over 30 per cent if you install a condensing boiler, 40 per cent if you fit good heating controls, including room thermostats and thermostatic valves on individual radiators. In fact, new central heating controls alone can save you up to £60 a year.

As well as the money saving advantages of course, becoming more energy efficient is good for the environment. Saving energy reduces Carbon Dioxide emissions, which is a key greenhouse gas and contributor to climate change.

For further information and advice on how to save energy and save money call the Kent Energy Centre free on 0800 358 6669, or log on to www.kentenergycentre.org.uk

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Kent Energy Centre is part of CEN, a not for profit organisation delivering a range of services to engage householders, businesses and communities in environmental and social improvement. We are supported by all Kent local authorities and provide a range of free and impartial services to householders on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust.

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The Energy Saving Trust (EST) was set up by the UK Government after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and is one of the UK’s leading organisations addressing the damaging affects of climate change. It aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. EST is a non-profit organisation funded by government and the private sector.

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The details of our roadshow locations for energy efficiency week are:

Monday 25th October - B & Q, Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells

Tuesday 26th October - Lockmeadow Market, Maidstone
Tuesday 26th October - Co-Op, Cranbrook, Tunbridge Wells

Wednesday 27th October - Kent & Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells
Wednesday 27th October - B & Q, Ramsgate Road, Margate

Thursday 28th October - Maidstone General Hospital

Friday 29th October - Canterbury Market
Friday 29th October - Town Centre, Gravesend

Saturday 30th October - Priory Shopping Centre, Dartford
Saturday 30th October - Herne Bay Market

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