energy guide 266512

Affordable Energy Campaign

Autumn/Winter 2011

SMART WAYS TO CUT YOUR ENERGY BILLS

2 | www.which.co.uk

4 EnErgy cost brEakdown Find out where your household uses most of its gas and electricity

5 EnErgy dEals dirEctory Deals, grants and discounts to help pay for energy-saving measures in your home

6 savE monEy on hEating bills Simple steps you can take to reduce how much you pay

8 switch and start saving Step-by-step advice on how you could save by switching to a cheaper deal

10 bEst EnErgy companiEs Which? Switch energy satisfaction survey data helps you choose a new supplier

11 affordablE EnErgy campaign Here’s how you can join our campaign to fight for more affordable energy prices

12 Eco savErs and wastErs Gadgets that will save you energy or money, and ones you should avoid

14 light bulbs Best Buy bulbs that are brighter, last longer and are more efficient

16 EnErgy monitors A simple way to track how much energy you use in order to reduce your bills

18 smart mEtErs ExplainEd All UK homes will have a smart meter, but what are they and will they help you?

20 laundry bEst buys Energy-saving Best Buys, and tips for washing and drying your clothes

22 kitchEn bEst buys Reduce your bills when keeping food cool and washing the dishes

24 tEchnology bEst buys Some TVs and recorders can guzzle electricity. We explain how to cut costs

26 timE to buy a nEw boilEr? A new boiler could save you around £225 a year. But is it worth the installation cost?

28 grEEn dEal ExplainEd A new scheme that could make your home more energy efficient, but how good is it?

30 microgEnEration options What it costs and how much you may save producing your own electricity or hot water

32 fit and rhi schEmEs Schemes you can use to earn money as you produce cleaner energy at home

34 how to buy solar panEls Solar power can reduce your electricity bill but the technology is expensive

contEnts

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8 16

www.which.co.uk | 3

wElcomE

At a time of rising inflation and squeezed incomes, you’ve told us that the cost of energy is your number one financial concern. That is why we are focusing on energy issues this year and launching the Affordable Energy Campaign.

Which? helps people every day to find and switch to better energy deals, as well as giving advice about ways you can save energy and cut your fuel bills.

This help is vital – but if all consumers are to pay as little as possible for energy, we also need to tackle the bamboozling array of confusing energy tariffs, unclear bills and dodgy sales and marketing information that stops you getting the best deal.

Our aims are clear. We want to help everyone buy the cheapest energy possible; stop hidden or rip-off energy costs and help people use less energy.

In this guide, we help you, our members, navigate your way through the maze that is the energy market. We give tips on everything from how to cut your heating bills, to advice on buying solar panels.

wE nEEd your hElpOver the coming months, we’ll be campaigning to change the energy market. We’ll hold events across the UK to help consumers take action to reduce your bills, listen to your views about energy costs and take these back to energy companies, Ofgem and government. And of course, we’ll continue to press for change by influencing new government legislation and regulatory consultations.

We need your support. Look out for our events and visit www.which.co.uk/affordableenergy if you have a story to share about your experiences with energy companies or want to support the campaign.

Editor Natalie Hitchins

Editorial Paul Ryan

Art editor Kelly Adams

© Which? Ltd 2011 Material published in this guide may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the prior permission of Helen Parker, Assistant Chief Executive. Which? may not be used for advertising, sales promotion or publicity.

Contributors

Which? Chief Executive

HEATING WATER Simple changes like having a shower instead of a bath can help you use less hot water. And insulating an old hot water tank can reduce heat loss by 70% – see p6-7 for more.

18%

LIGHTING AND APPLIANCES Each energy-saving

our Best Buys on p14-15. And check out our light bulb you use could save you up to £10 a year – findenergy-saving tips for household appliances on p20-25.

18%

HEATING YOUR HOME Whether you have a gas or electric heating system, keeping your home warm uses a lot of energy. But there are things you can do to minimise the costs – see p6-7 for our top tips.

61%

COOKING The easiest way to prevent wasted energy when cooking on the hob is to put a lid on your pan. To further reduce cooking costs (and washing up) try one-pot cooking.

3%

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EnErgy costs

This guide is all about saving money on energy

and is packed with tips to help you slash your bills.

It includes everything from step-by-step advice on how you can switch energy supplier, to tips on cutting heating costs and a rundown of the best and worst energy-saving gadgets.

We’ll show you how much different appliances around the house cost to run and what you can do to reduce the cost. We also look at ways you can better monitor energy use.

And we look at some of the most recent – and radical – ways to generate your own greener energy.

But first, we look at what the biggest uses of energy are. See the chart, right.

EnErgy bills- where does your money go?

Find out where households use most of their gas and electricity and how Which? is campaigning for more affordable energy

Which? wants you to spend as little as possible on energy. That’s why we’re campaigning for changes in the industry that will mean everyone can get the cheapest deals, stopping hidden

or rip-off costs and helping you cut energy use and save money.

As rising energy prices are the number one money worry for consumers, Which? will work even harder in

future to press energy firms, government and others to ensure that affordable energy is available for all – now and in future. We’re tackling tariffs, investigating dodgy

sales practices, and offering even more information and advice on getting the best deal. Find out more and how you can get involved at www.which.co.uk/affordableenergy

Which? campaigns for better deals

Based on the latest figures from ‘Energy Consumption in the UK - Department of Energy and Climate Change.’

Af f ordableEnergyCampaign






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Online green _ new logo

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dEals dirEctory

energy dealsdirEctory

The average home may lose more than £300 a year because of poor energy efficiency. These deals, grants and discounts can help you pay for energy-saving measures

Warm Front grants For people in England who are on some income benefits and living in homes that are poorly insulated and/or don’t have central heating. Call 0800 316 2805. Other schemes in Scotland (Energy Assistance Package 0800 512 012), Wales (NEST 0800 512 012) and Northern Ireland (Warm Homes 0800 988 0559).£6,000 The maximum grant if oil central heating or alternative technologies are recommended.

Winter fuel payments Most people over 60 can get £100-£300 tax free, depending on age and circumstance, to help pay energy bills. Usually paid automatically but if you’ve never had one and may be eligible, call 0845 915 1515.£300 How much you can get if you’re 80 or over, and live alone or are the only person in your home that qualifies.

Suppliers’ energy-saving dealsThe ‘big six’ (British Gas, EDF, Eon, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE) often have deals to cover part or all the cost of installing energy-saving measures. Call your supplier. British Gas currently offers free loft and cavity wall insulation to customers and anyone over 70 or on some benefits. Call 0800 980 8177 before 31 October.£145 How much British Gas says you may save on your annual bill if you have free loft insulation installed.

Feed-in tariff (Fit) If you produce electricity using renewable technologies such as solar panels, you could get guaranteed payments through this government scheme. You are paid for the electricity whether you use it or export it to the national grid. See p32.£1,198 How much a Birmingham household may earn a year with an average solar PV panel installation on an optimum roof.

Boiler trade-in As we went to press British Gas was offering up to £400 and Npower £300 to homes to trade in an old boiler for a new energy-efficient model. This doesn’t mean a boiler from either will necessarily work out cheapest.£225 How much you can save on your annual heating bill on average by replacing an old G-rated boiler with a high-efficiency condensing boiler and improving heating controls. See p26 to see if it’s worth it for your home.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)The government RHI scheme rewards buildings heated using renewable energy. Households can’t join until October 2012, but one-off Premium Payments are available now to help cover the cost of installing renewable heating systems. See p33.£300 How much households can get from an RHI Premium Payment towards installing a solar thermal heating system.

savE monEy on heating bills

Winter is getting near and many energy firms have sharply increased their prices. But there are simple steps you can take to reduce your heating bills

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hEating bills

A fireplace looks great, but when it’s not in use it can feel like you are heating a room with an open window. When the fire’s out, keep the damper closed or buy a chimney balloon (about £20) that can be inflated in the opening above the fire to reduce draughts.

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Get an energy audit Save around £250 a yearA free and quick online home energy survey by the Energy Saving Trust will let you see how much energy you use. It offers a free personalised action plan to those who complete the survey and will estimate how much money its advice will save you. See www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Turn down the heat Save up to 10% on your billIf you’re walking round indoors in a T-shirt in winter, you’re burning cash. Reducing room temperatures by just 1°C could cut your heating bills by almost 10%. Adjusting the central heating timer to switch off at night and in the day if the home is empty, also cuts fuel use.

Ensure your boiler is efficientSave up to £225 a yearIf you need to replace your boiler (average installation cost £2,500) a more efficient one will lower your heating costs, especially a condensing model which could save as much as £225 a year. Visit www.which.co.uk/boilersavings for more on how much you could save.

Deal with draughts Save up to £45 a yearFull draught proofing saves £25 a year on average. Blocking gaps round skirting boards and floorboards could save another £20. Tackle draughts by filling gaps around window frames, door frames and pipework that goes through external walls. Use

draught excluder strips or expanding foam fillers. Loft hatches and edges of the loft opening can also be insulated.

Wrap up your tank Cut heat loss by 70%If you live in an older house and have an uninsulated (or poorly insulated) hot water tank, you waste money each time you turn on the hot water. Wrapping it in a British Standard cylinder jacket (75mm thick, cost from £5) can cut heat loss by 70%.

Don’t heat unused roomsIf you have a rarely used spare bedroom, turn its radiator down

This shows heat loss through parts of an average home. Insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut your bill. Insulating an uninsulated loft could save about £145 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Even if you have some, topping up to the recommended amount saves money. Energy suppliers and some DIY stores offer cut-price insulation, depending on your circumstances, you may get free insulation. See p5.

stop heat loss and save money

to the lowest setting without turning it off. Fitting reflective foil behind radiators on outside walls will also reduce heat loss.

Reducing your bills Save £237 on average Getting gas and electricity from the same supplier (dual fuel) and paying by monthly direct debit is almost always cheapest. You may also get a discount for managing your account online. People who used our switching service, Which? Switch, saved £237 on average between May 2010 and June 2011. See p8 or www.which.co.uk/switch

hEating bills

(insulating £300-£2000)

Cavity wall insulation £110

Insulation £50

Draught proo�ng £25

Double glazing £130

Loft insulation £145

A staggering amount of energy used to heat our homes is wasted. Here’s where most heat is lost and how much money you may save

8 | www.which.co.uk

switching to a chEapEr dEal

Step-by-step advice on how you could save more than £200 in just 10 minutes by switching to a cheaper energy deal

switchand start saving

q How long does switching take?

About six to eight weeks. You get a confirmation email from Which? Switch then your new supplier will be in touch to advise of the date of switch. Take

meter readings on this date to give to the old and new suppliers.

q What can I save? People switching

electricity and gas between May 2010 and June 2011 saved £237 a

year on average with Which? Switch. You may save more, especially if you’ve never switched.

q What does it cost? It’s usually free to

switch, but exit fees are becoming more common

on some fixed or cheap online tariffs. Before you switch, ask your current supplier if there’s an exit fee.

q Will I be paying two suppliers?

No. Take a meter reading

yoUr sWitching QUestions ansWered

Click the ‘show savings’ icon to view a table of all the available

Before you start switching, ensure you have recent gas and electricity bills to hand, or your annual energy statement – these have the information you need. Decide whether to switch gas, electricity or both. If your home has both, a dual fuel deal with a single supplier will be cheapest. Have your bank details to hand if you want to pay by direct debit (the cheapest way to pay).

1

2

3

?

?

?

Answer a series of simple one-click

on your bill and our ‘tips and info’ tab will explain each stage.

Log on to www.which.co.uk/switch, enter your postcode and click the ‘start switching’ icon.

4

6 Finally accept the terms and conditions and click the ‘ icon at the bottom of this page.

letting you know what happens next. Your new supplier will then get in touch directly with you – so you can sit back and relax.

‘choose this one’. Fill in your personal details and, if applicable, the direct debit section.

5

AverAge sAving£237

Just 18% of the public has switched energy supplier

in the last year and 57% have never changed suppliers at all. If you haven’t switched in the last three years, you’re almost guaranteed to save cash.

The typical annual saving per household for those who changed gas and electricity

www.which.co.uk | 9

switching to a chEapEr dEal

suppliers using Which? Switch is £237. With recent price rises taking effect, switching helps you avoid unnecessarily high bills this winter.

The biggest savings are for paying by monthly direct debit, an online tariff managed on the internet (you can still ring your supplier for help), or a dual fuel

deal – ideally a combination of all three. Switching is simple. 85% of people who’d switched in our most recent survey said it was easy. If you want to speak to a person as you switch, call one of our independent advisors free on 01992 822867. It takes just 10 minutes – you just need a recent bill to hand.

yoUr sWitching QUestions ansWered

on the day of changeover and give this to both suppliers. Make a final payment to your old supplier if necessary – if your account is in credit you are entitled to a refund. Cancel any direct

debits that you had with your old supplier.

q What if my new supplier raises

prices after I switch? There’s a seven day cooling-off period after switching during which

you can cancel. If you’re told about a price rise after this time, you can still cancel up until the price rise takes effect without paying penalty fees that may usually apply to the tariff.

q Can I switch again Switch as often as

you like, but check your tariff to see if cancellation fees apply. Check the latest deals every six months to see you’re still paying the lowest price.

Click the ‘show savings’ icon to view a table of all the available

Before you start switching, ensure you have recent gas and electricity bills to hand, or your annual energy statement – these have the information you need. Decide whether to switch gas, electricity or both. If your home has both, a dual fuel deal with a single supplier will be cheapest. Have your bank details to hand if you want to pay by direct debit (the cheapest way to pay).

1

2

3

?

?

?

Answer a series of simple one-click

on your bill and our ‘tips and info’ tab will explain each stage.

Log on to www.which.co.uk/switch, enter your postcode and click the ‘start switching’ icon.

4

6 Finally accept the terms and conditions and click the ‘ icon at the bottom of this page.

letting you know what happens next. Your new supplier will then get in touch directly with you – so you can sit back and relax.

‘choose this one’. Fill in your personal details and, if applicable, the direct debit section.

5

10 | www.which.co.uk

bEst EnErgy companiEs

Which energy companies offer the best value

for money, clearest bills or great customer service? The Which? Switch energy satisfaction survey gathers opinions from thousands of customers to find out.

The table below shows how Which? members rated the 10 energy suppliers they most commonly use.

We found that small providers are streets ahead of the six biggest energy firms that supply 98% of British homes. However, average overall customer score was just 48%, which is one of the lowest out of all the sectors that our satisfaction surveys cover.

winnErs and losErsThe results tell a familiar story, with the ‘big six’ energy companies scoring badly. The top spot is shared by a relative newcomer, Ovo Energy, and energy and telecoms provider Utility Warehouse. The winners were followed closely by tiny not-for-profit supplier, Ebico.

One impressed customer described Ovo Energy’s attitude to customers as ‘a welcome change’, and others praised the supplier for paying 3% interest on credit balances.

At the other end of the scale, it’s business as usual for the big six, with Npower propping up the table with a satisfaction score of 34%.

best energy companies rEvEalEd

Choosing a new energy supplier doesn’t just have to be about comparing prices. The Which? Switch energy satisfaction survey helps you choose a top-rated supplier

Why do you pay more per unit if you use less energy? Is your energy ‘discount’ all it’s cracked up to be? And why do firms make it hard to work out how much you’re paying?

At Which?, we think energy tariffs are confusing and unfair. It’s time we tackled them. You can help by emailing Alistair Buchanan, chief executive of industry regular Ofgem. He has the power to make firms offer simpler tariffs with prices that are fair for all consumers. Visit www.which.co.uk/tackle tariffs to get involved in our affordable energy campaign.

help Us tackletariff tricks

WhiCh? sWitCh sAtisfACtion survEy rEsuLts

suppLiEr biLLs – ovErALL CustomEr sErviCE

EnCourAging EffiCiEnCy

vALuE for monEy

DEALing With quEriEs

CustomEr sCorE %

utiLity WArEhouse (185) HHHHH HHHHH HHH HHHHH HHHHH 77ovo EnErgy (93) HHHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHHH 77EbiCo (46) HHHHH HHHH HHHH HHHHH n/a 72ssE (1,516) HHHH HHHH HHH HHHH HHHHH 56Eon (1,619) HHHH HHH HHHH HHHH HHHH 49sCottish poWEr (1,117) HHHH HHH HH HHHH HHHH 46british gAs (1,860) HHHH HHH HHH HHH HHH 45first utiLity (173) HHHH HH HH HHHH H 43EDf EnErgy (888) HHH HHH HHH HHH HHHH 40npoWEr (644) HH HH HHH HHH HHH 34niE (73) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 34

NIE (Northern Ireland Electricity Board’s) score doesn’t include the likelihood of recommending the supplier and is based on satisfaction only. n/a means there were insufficient responses to rate a supplier. Sample sizes written in brackets. Total sample size 8,421. Survey conducted October 2010 via Which? Connect online panel. Bills score is a combination of accuracy and ease of understanding.

www.which.co.uk | 11

affordablE EnErgy campaign

which? works for you

Which? is fighting for more affordable prices and a fairer energy market. Here we reveal what we’re campaigning for on your behalf – and how you can get involved

We want to make sure you spend as little on energy

as possible. That’s why we advise on home improvements to keep your bill down, campaign against unfair tariffs, and help you find a better deal.

Energy bills are the number one financial concern for UK consumers, and we’re asking regulator Ofgem, the government and energy firms to listen to your views.

We need fundamental change so that affordable energy is available for all – now and in future. This will include campaigning for simple tariffs, an end to rip off energy costs and for energy efficiency ideas that offer value for money.

listEning to youWe’re working on behalf of all UK consumers, so we want to know what you think. Had a problem with an energy firm? Think there’s something we can do to improve the market? Tell us your story and you could be the inspiration for an article, or play a part in the Which? Affordable Energy Campaign.

You can tell us your stories by visiting www.which. co.uk/energystories

The energy tariff system is unfair. It penalises those who save energy and vulnerable users. Tariffs are so confusing it’s almost impossible to work out what you should be paying.

Join us in tackling tariffs by emailing Ofgem’s chief executive. Together we can get fairer, simpler bills that help all of us save money. Email Ofgem at www.which.co.uk/tackletariffs

We’re tackling energy tariffs

To find out more about the Which? Affordable Energy Campaign, join us at www.which.co.uk/affordableenergy


THE EcOBuTTOncOST £15 SAvE variesOur testers liked this. Plug it into a USB port on your computer and it flashes to remind you to press it when you take a break. It puts your computer into its most efficient energy-saving mode. There’s a screen to show how much money and carbon you’ve saved each time you start using the computer again.

RADIATOR BOOSTER RBI-707-TT cOST £20 SAvE variesThis claims to help cut your heating bill by 10%. It sits on top of your radiator, and a small fan draws the heat trapped behind the radiator and distributes it more evenly around the room. This could

help you reduce your radiator thermostat setting. We found that with this fitted, the room heated up more quickly, the thermostat needed to come on less often and energy use dropped. The fan makes a small noise, and not all our testers were keen on its look, however It could prove to be £20 well spent.

REcHARGEABlE BATTERIES cOST £10.99 for pack of fourSAvE £500 over 100 chargesOur highest-scoring Best Buys are the hybrid GP ReCyko+ batteries. A set of eight rechargeables and a £50 smart charger may save more than £500 in their lifetime. Smart chargers avoid overcharging, which can reduce batteries’ performance.

Eco savErs and wasters

With energy prices rising sharply, there has been a big growth in gadgets claiming to save you energy or money. But which are

worth buying – and which should you avoid?

eco savers

Eco gadgEts


EnERGy-SAvInG BulBS cOST £3SAvE around £45 a yearFitting all lights in your home with energy-saving bulbs saves about £45 a year. The payback time for doing this is generally less than a year. The Osram Duluxstar 21W at about £3 is a Which? Best Buy and scores a top five star rating for durability. See p14 for more.

EnERGy mOnITORScOST £35 SAvE £25-£75 a yearOur top-scoring Best Buy energy monitor, the Efergy Elite, displays consistent and accurate information on its large, clear screen. It gives a good idea of how much energy your home uses, helping you to cut costs. See p16 for more.

eCotek energy WIzard £25

This voltage optimisation device

plugs into any socket and claims

to cut up to 10% off your

electricity bill (£60 a year, on

average). It didn’t cut power use

and even increased it when

linked to a hi-fi plasma TV or

energy-saving bulb.

dIsposable battery CHargers £30-£35

These claim to recharge ordinary

disposable alkaline batteries up

to 10 times. We tested the Battery

Wizard Deluxe and Battery

Charger For Alkaline Disposable

Batteries with Best Buy AA

alkaline Energizer Hightech

batteries. Batteries dropped, on

average, to 10% of capacity after

two charging cycles.stormguard WIndoW InsulatIon kIt £8

A thin clear film that goes over

windows to cut heat loss. It saves

little and can be inconvenient.

eco savers

standby saver £17

Lets you use a remote control to turn appliances off at the mains. It claims you can save £30 a year turning off a TV/DVD/satellite box/

mIra era sHoWer Head £35

This water-saving shower head mixes air with water. It reduced water flow by 30-40%, and the shower spray was noticeably more aerated, but this made it noisy. There are cheaper ways to save water. Quicker showers or a flow reducer could be as good.

video when not in use. But you’re

just as likely to forget to use it and

new appliances now use less

electricity on standby.

eco Wasters

Eco gadgEts


light bulbs

The cost of lighting your home makes up about 15%

of your electricity bill. Replace all your bulbs with Best Buy energy-saving ones and you could save up to £45 a year.

Incandescent bulbs will no longer be sold after September 2012 and many shops will stop selling them before this.

In their place are three kinds of energy-saving bulbs: CFLs, halogens and LEDs. Our table, right, shows the Best Buys from the range we’ve tested. There are big differences between best and worst bulbs tested.

wE tEstBrightness How bright bulbs are after 100 hours of being

on, taking the average from three samples.Power How much power bulbs use to emit that light. This shows how efficient they are. long-lasting We leave bulbs on for 5,000 hours (equivalent to five years’ use) and check whether they stay bright. Durability We switch them on and off 30,000 times.

what makEs a bEst buy?Best Buys are bright from start-up, unlike one poorly performing bulb on test that stayed dark for several seconds – useless for areas like stairs where you need instant light. They survive 5,000 hours of continuous

EnErgy-saving light bulbs

Best Buys are brighter, last longer, are more efficient, and could help you save money and the environment

burning and 30,000 on/off switches. The worst bulbs fail at 6,000 switches.

chEck thE packagingAn energy-saving bulb’s packaging shows how long it’s expected to last and its light output (measured in lumens).

It usually shows the type of fitting (bayonet or screw), how long it takes to reach 60% of its full output (warm-up time) and whether a bulb gives a warm glow or brighter, colder light (its colour temperature).

It’s worth saying that not all energy-saving bulbs can be used with dimmer switches. This should also be shown on their packaging.

Traditional incandescent light bulbs came in different wattages. A bulb’s wattage measures how much power it uses, rather than how bright it is.Energy-saving bulbs use

fewer watts than traditional bulbs to give the same amount of light. This means their wattage will not indicate how brightly they shine.

To find out how bright they are, look for their

lumen (lm) output – this should be on packaging.

As a rough indicator, the most common energy-saving bulbs (CFLs) use about 8 watts to give 300-500lm of light which is equivalent

to an old 40W bulb. For the equivalent of a 60W bulb, CFLs use about 10 watts to emit 600lm. For the equivalent of a 100W bulb, CFLs use between 15-20 watts to give more than 1000lm of light.

Watt’s going on?

Find more reviews and answers to your light bulb questions at www.which.co.uk/lightbulbs

sAve£45

A yeAr


light bulbs

OSRAm DuluxSTAR 14W, lumIluxTEST SCORE 68%PRICE £6.99

SylvAnIA TOlEDO GlS A60TEST SCORE 81%PRICE £37.52

OSRAm PARATHOm clASSIc A40TEST SCORE 78%PRICE £19.90

OSRAm DuluxSTAR 21WTEST SCORE 73%PRICE £2.81

OSRAm Dulux SuPERSTAR 30WTEST SCORE 72%PRICE £12.86

SylvAnIA mInI-lynx cOmPAcT 8WTEST SCORE 66%PRICE £4.09

SylvAnIA mInI-lynx FAST-START 11WTEST SCORE 69%PRICE £3.95

Light buLb bEst buys

brAnD moDEL EquivALEnt inCAnDEsCEnt

WAttAgE

priCE(£)

effiCiEnCy of Light output

light At stArt-

up

Dimming ovEr

LifEtimE

LifEtimE DurAbiLity

sCorE %

osrAm Duluxstar 21W 100W 2.81 HHHH HHH HHHHH HHHHH 73

osrAm Dulux Superstar 30W 100W 12.86 HHHH HHHH HHH HHHHH 72

osrAm Dulux Superstar 22W 100W 9.99 HHHH HHHH HHH HHHHH 71

syLvAniA Mini-Lynx Fast-Start 11W 60W 3.95 HHHH HHH HHHHH HHHHH 69

osrAm Duluxstar 14W, Lumilux 60W 6.99 HHHH HHH HHHH HHHHH 68

osrAm Parathom Classic A 40 40W 19.90 HHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH 78

syLvAniA Mini-Lynx Compact 8W 40W 4.09 HHHH HHH HHHHH HHHHH 66

syLvAniA Toledo GLS A60 25W 37.52 HHH HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH 81

OSRAm Dulux SuPERSTAR 22WTEST SCORE 71%PRICE £9.99

EnErgy monitors

Owl CM160 (Owl+USB) 74% £40pros this gets full marks for accuracy. It has a clear display and it’s easy to move between options. you can upload data to a pC, and it’s compatible with economy 7 tariffs.Cons Changes in your energy use aren’t displayed quite as rapidly as on some models. AvAiLAbLE amazon, theowl.com

keeping track of the ElEctricity you usE

Energy monitors are a simple way to keep a check on how much electricity you use and could help you reduce your bills

An energy monitor is a simple handheld or

table-top gadget that estimates in real time how much energy you’re using. It lets you see how using different appliances affects your consumption and, ideally, helps you cut your bills.

They cost around £40 (free from some energy suppliers) and you can install them

yourself. Most are made up of a handheld display, a transmitter and a sensor.

Most allow you to see your electricity use in units of energy (kWh), cost (£) or carbon emissions (tonnes of CO2). Some will also let you set daily electricity use targets or alarms to alert you when you’ve used a set amount of electricity.

what don’t thEy do?They won’t send information to your energy supplier and most don’t measure gas use. You need a smart meter to do that.

whErE can i buy onE?From shops such as Argos, John Lewis and Tesco. Brands include Owl and Efergy. They cost £20-£100.

EfErgy ElitE 77% £35pros this is the only monitor to get five stars for quality of information shown. It has a large, clear screen. We like the graph illustrating today’s and yesterday’s use. It’s accurate and consistent.Cons you can’t upload data to a pC and can only enter your electricity unit price to the nearest penny.AvAiLAbLE amazon, efergy.com, maplin

EnErgy monitors

CUrrEnt COSt Envir 67% £50pros this gives all-important information on one screen, so there’s no need to scroll. It’s accurate, can be used with nine socket monitors and you can download data to a pC.Cons on-screen historical data is limited, but is shown automatically. display is mains-powered.AvAiLAbLE Currentcost.com

‘frEE’ EnErgy monitorsYou may be offered a ‘free’ energy monitor if you sign up to certain energy tariffs, for example British Gas’s EnergySmart tariff, Southern Electric’s iplan and EDF’s EcoManager plan. Before deciding to switch, weigh up the freebie’s value against the tariff cost. You may be better off with a cheaper tariff and buying a monitor separately.

most from a monitorchoose the best for youAll monitors offer similar basic functions but top Best Buys report electricity use accurately and consistently, and show the information in a useful way.

Investigate your energy useTry turning off everything that you can in your home to get the monitor reading as low as possible. Then walk through all the rooms and try turning different appliances on, watching the monitor reading increase. This should identify which of your appliances use the most energy. Some monitors have display units that take batteries to make them more portable.

monitor your use over timeMost monitors let you see inconsistencies from day-to-day, or week to week. To fully understand your electricity use, keep a note of your weekly or

energy monitors tested

1 efergy Elite £35 77%

2 owl CM160 (OWL + USB) £40 74%

3 eco-eye Elite £48 72%

4 current cost EnviR £50 67%

5 owl Micro CM130 £25 64%

6 diy Kyoto Wattson 01 £90 55%

7 current cost TREC £25 55%

8 edf energy EcoManager c £85 53%

monthly use – or if the monitor allows, download this data to your computer.

Visit www.which.co.uk/smartvideo to watch our video guide explaining the difference between a smart meter and an energy monitor.

ECO-EyE ElitE 72% £48pros great, quick feedback on energy use. It did well for accuracy, even better for consistency (five stars). the display is clear, it’s compatible with economy 7 tariffs, and has a thermometer.Cons Had to check instructions to see what historical data shown. one piece of data at a time on screen.AvAiLAbLE amazon, eco-eye.com


smart mEtErs

time to gEt smartEr

The government wants all UK homes to have a smart meter. It may help you save money and mean you never get another estimated bill. But here’s what needs to happen for meters to work for the consumer

Smart meters are hi-tech electricity and gas meters

that will replace your existing meter, measure exactly how much gas and electricity you use, and send the reading automatically to your supplier, so you’ll get accurate bills.

The government plans to roll out meters to homes across the country by 2019 at a cost of around £11.7 billion.

In future, they could be used, for example, to help introduce schemes to offer cheaper rates at off-peak times to smooth out national energy use through

1 Why should you pay so they save?

Which? is conducting a consumer-focused review of the smart meter roll-out so far. There’s been some scepticism from Which? members about the benefits smart meters will bring. So, as part of our

Affordable Energy Campaign, we’re trying to work out if the costs are realistic and controlled, and if there’s more we need to do during the roll-out to make sure customers won’t be paying for something that has limited benefits.

2 the Which? smart challenge

Which? has issued a smart meter challenge to all energy firms to agree to just install smart meters without selling extra products and services. Co-operative Energy, Utility Warehouse and

Ecotricity are among those who have already agreed to do this. We believe suppliers shouldn’t be allowed to cross-sell when they install the meters. We’re calling for a code of conduct similar to the one for digital TV switchover.

Which? says: What needs to happen


smart mEtErs

Which? says: What needs to happen

3 Can we trust them with information?

Smart meters could give suppliers much more detailed information about our energy use. Just 42% of the 2,000 people we surveyed trust their energy firm to look after this information.

4 minimum standard

The government has said smart meters will come with handheld energy display units that will allow people to monitor their energy use. Which? wants to see minimum standards for both.

5 Educate consumers

The amount of money consumers save using a meter depends on them using it to monitor and cut energy use. The government must ensure consumers have the knowledge to do this.

the day. They should also make it easier to sell your own micro-generated electricity (eg from a solar panel) to the grid.

how arE thEy diffErEnt from EnErgy monitors?Smart meters are much more sophisticated. They replace your current meter and send your usage information directly to your supplier or a third party.

Energy monitors clip on to your power cable, and give you a good estimate of how much electricity you’re using. This information doesn’t go back your energy supplier or a third party and usually just measures electricity, not gas use.

will i savE monEy?They will mean more accurate bills, but won’t in themselves save you money. The government says smart meters will come with visual display units that, like energy monitors, allow you to view your real-time gas and electricity use and the rates you are paying. The

difference is that the figures will be accurate and they will also be able to show your gas use.

However, it would still be up to you to use the information to see where you could cut your energy use – then make the effort to do so.

how can i gEt onE?A meter needs to be installed by your energy firm. If you don’t want to wait until 2020, when rollout is due to be finished, you have limited options. If you live in the Midlands or east Midlands, you could switch to First Utility’s Smart tariff. First Utility is giving free smart

meters to customers in these regions, though they don’t have a visual display unit (you can follow your use online).

British Gas will install two million dual fuel smart meters by the end of 2012. Currently,

Smart meters will mean more accurate bills but won’t in themselves save you money

it’s only installing them in ‘selected’ homes but customers will be able to request one from the end of 2011. Once government plans are finalised, other suppliers will have to begin their rollouts.


EnErgy-saving appliancEs

We’ve tested hundreds and found big differences in how much electricity they use.

The most energy-efficient uses 0.05 kWh a kg, the least efficient, 0.17 kWh a kg. Annual energy costs are from £10 to £47, for five cotton washes a week. Typically, bigger machines mean higher costs. Energy Saver Best Buys, below, are in the top 20% for energy efficiency of those tested.

how to savE EnErgyh Wash a full drum to get best value from the energy you use. h Wash lightly soiled clothes at 30°C not 40°C. It’s better for the environment and can save about £9 a year. When we tested laundry detergents we

Whether you’re washing your clothes, watching TV or doing the dishes, choosing the right appliance and using it efficiently can save both energy and money

energy-efficient appliancEs

found Best Buys designed for low temperatures cleaned well.h Most modern models have an eco cycle. They’re designed

to use less electricity and water than the standard program.h See also our video guide www.which.co.uk/washingtips

spECifiCAtion WhiCh? tEst pErformAnCE

priCE(£)

CApACity (Kg)

mAin progrAm timE (h:m)

AnnuAL EnErgy Cost (£)

EnErgy usE

Cotton WAsh

noisE brAnD rELiAbiLity

sCorE %

bosCh WIS28440GB 646 7 2.24 18 HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH 76

bosCh WAS28469GB 538 8 2.39 20 HHHH HHHH HHH HHHH 73

Lg F1403FD 518 9 2.45 16 HHHHH HHHH HHHH HHHH 72

bosCh WAS28769GB 770 8 2.23 21 HHHH HHHH HHH HHHH 71

Washing machines: annual energy costs £10 - £47

Find more test results and more Best Buys, see www.which.co.uk/washingmachines

BOScH WIS28440GBTEST SCORE 76%PRICE £646

ECOCHOICE

ENERGYSAVER ENERGY

CHOICE

EFFICIENTCHOICE

LOWWATERUSE

LOWRUNNINGCOSTS

GREENBUY

FUELSAVER

Annual running cost based on five full cotton loads five times a week

Each full cotton load in your dryer will cost 21p-74p in electricity and the annual energy costs of models we’ve tested ranges from £32-£116. If you’re looking for a new dryer, choose one that’s kind to your energy bills.

Condenser tumble dryers tend to be more energy-efficient than vented models but typically cost more to buy. Gas models are significantly cheaper to run, but none we’ve tested is good enough to be a Best Buy.

You can find Which? Energy Saver dryers, below. To be a Which? Energy Saver, a model must be a Best Buy and among the most energy-efficient 20% for its type out of the models we’ve tested.

savE EnErgyh Clean the lint filter each time you use the dryer. A blocked filter prevents hot air circulating



tUmble dryers: annual energy costs £32 - £116


ConDEnsEr tumbLE DryErs

prICe(£)

CapaCIty (kg)

energy label

annual energy Cost (£)

energy use

Cotton dryIng

tIme

evenness brand relIabIlIty

sCorE %

miELE t 8826 WP 1079 7 A 43 HHHHH HHHH HHHH HHHHH 74

siEmEns WT46W566GB 599 7 A 33 HHHHH HHH HHHH HHHHH 70

bosCh WTW84560GB/08 554 7 A 32 HHHHH HHH HHHH HHHHH 69

miELE T8402 C 619 6 B 67 HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHHH 68

miELE T8822 C 683 7 B 78 HHHH HHHH HHH HHHHH 68

vEntED tumbLE DryErs

miELE T8302 550 6 C 66 HHHH HHHHH HHHH HHHHH 67

WhirLpooL AWZ3303 170 6 C 66 HHHH HHHH HHHH HHHHH 66

freely, so drying takes longer.h Make sure the dryer is in a well-ventilated room to stop it overheating. If it overheats, it takes longer to finish drying.h If you don’t need clothes dried immediately and have a washing line or clothes horse, consider using these. Drying

clothes naturally can save more than £100 a year, depending on how efficient your dryer is.h Use a high spin-speed on your washing machine or wring out your clothes before you put them in the tumble dryer.h Watch our video guide at www.which.co.uk/dryertips

Find more test results and more Best Buy tumble dryers at www.which.co.uk/tumbledryers

BOScH WTW84560GB/08TEST SCORE 69%PRICE £554

ECOCHOICE

ENERGYSAVER ENERGY

CHOICE

EFFICIENTCHOICE

LOWWATERUSE

LOWRUNNINGCOSTS

GREENBUY

FUELSAVER

Annual energy cost based on drying a full cotton load three times a week


This is a key appliance if you want to cut your energy bills. Refrigeration appliances make up around 20% of electricity used by appliances in the home.

Energy costs are £12-£87 a year depending on type and size. Top Which? Energy Savers are in the table below. To be an Energy Saver, a fridge-freezer must perform well enough to be a Best Buy and in the most energy-efficient 20% for its type of models we’ve tested.

savE EnErgyh Don’t leave the door open longer than you need to. Don’t put warm food in your fridge or freezer, it makes it work harder.h Keep fridge temperature at 0°C-5°C. Any lower uses extra energy unnecessarily and may damage delicate items.h Defrost frozen food in the fridge. It acts like an ice pack to help cooling in the fridge.h For efficiency, keep fridge and freezer at least three

quarters full. You can use water bottles to take up volume. h Defrost fridge and freezer regularly so they run efficiently.

h Vacuum condenser coils at the back or under your fridge or freezer. Thick dust can reduce efficiency by 25%.

fridge-freezers: annual energy costs £12 - £87


priCE (£)


friDgE-frEEzEr CApACity (LitrEs)

friDgE poWEr

frEEzEr poWEr

EAsE of DEfrosting

brAnD rELiAbiLity

sCorE (%)

ConvEntionAL frEEstAnDing friDgE-frEEzErs

hotpoint FF200L 430 20 174/88 HHHHH HHHH HHHHH HHH 83

bEKo CDA648F 320 18 139/93 HHHH HHH HHHHH HHHH 78

miELE KFN12924SD 735 23 198/99 HHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHH 77

bEKo CDA660F 320 17 161/91 HHHH HHH HHHHH HHHH 76

zAnussi ZRT623W 231 13 148/41 HHH HHH H HHH 73

frEEstAnDing siDE-by-siDE friDgE-frEEzErs

bEKo AB910W 569 41 317/153 HHHH HHH HHHHH HHHH 73

Find more test results and more Best Buys at www.which.co.uk/fridgefreezers


HOTPOInT FF200lTEST SCORE 83%PRICE £430

Energy costs are illustrative only and based on use in controlled lab situations. Actual costs depend on use.

ECOCHOICE

ENERGYSAVER ENERGY

CHOICE

EFFICIENTCHOICE

LOWWATERUSE

LOWRUNNINGCOSTS

GREENBUY

FUELSAVER

The right dishwasher can use less water and energy to do the dishes than washing by hand.We measure the energy use of each model we test and found annual energy costs range from £42 to £75 for full-size models, £33 to £58 for slimline models and £26 to £32 for compact models, if you use your dishwasher every day on the main program.

To be a Which? Energy Saver, a dishwasher must be a Best Buy and among the most energy efficient 10% for its type of those tested.

savE EnErgyh Fill the dishwasher to get the most value from the energy used. If you have an energy-efficient dishwasher and run it when full it can use less energy than washing up in hot water.h Overfilling could stop items being cleaned properly. Large items should go at the back and sides of racks: big plates at the front can stop water getting to the detergent dispenser.


dishWashers: annual energy costs £26 - £75

h An energy-save/eco program washes at lower temperatures, so needs less energy to heat the water. They use about 17% less energy on average than the main program.

h Half-load programs use less water and energy than a normal cycle, however the savings won’t equate to half. Wait until the machine is full and choose an eco cycle.


fuLL-sizE

priCE (£)

pLACE sEtting

mAin progrAm timE h:min EnErgy usE AnnuAL

EnErgy Cost (£) CLEAning Drying brAnD rELiAbiLity

sCorE (%)

bosCh SMV69T10GB 579 14 2:07 HHHHH 45.21 HHHH HHHHH HHHH 72

bosCh SMS65E12GB 404 13 2:21 HHHH 47.67 HHHH HHHH HHHH 71

bosCh SMS63E12GB 429 13 1:54 HHHHH 44.59 HHHH HHHH HHHH 69

sLimLinE DishWAshErs

WhirLpooL ADG175 325 9 2:55 HHHH 38.12 HHHH HHHHH HHH 63

Find more test results and more Best Buy dishwashers at www.which.co.uk/dishwashers


BOScH Smv69T10GBTEST SCORE 72%PRICE £579

Energy use rating based on the main program. Annual running cost based on washing every day on the main program

ECOCHOICE

ENERGYSAVER ENERGY

CHOICE

EFFICIENTCHOICE

LOWWATERUSE

LOWRUNNINGCOSTS

GREENBUY

FUELSAVER


As a rule the bigger the TV you own, the more energy it’s likely to use. The annual energy costs of the TVs we’ve tested range from £5 a year for an efficient 22-inch TV to £77 a year for an inefficient 50-inch.

Even TVs the same size can vary in electricity use; annual energy costs for 32-inch TVs we tested range from £9-£21.

Below, we’ve picked out Which? Energy Savers – the Best Buy TVs that score five stars for overall power use when switched on, taking screen size into account.

Plus we’ve selected the most energy-efficient Best Buy 32-inch TVs as this is the most popular size.

savE EnErgy h Ambient light sensors adjust the TV’s backlight, according to how dark or light the room is, and if you watch the TV with the lights off this feature can slash its power use by around 30%-50%. This feature is now available on

most TVs of 32 inches and larger screen sizes.h Most new TVs can blank the screen when they’re tuned into digital radio channels, and can also switch themselves off if they are left idle for too long.

Sony has also developed energy-saving presence sensors that will turn the picture off if it senses nobody is in the room. There is even a

screen warning that should alert the particularly static couch potato.h LCD televisions are more energy efficient than plasma models. Newer LED-backlit LCD TVs will save even more energy than traditional LCD models. This is because they use hundreds of small LEDs instead of the former’s fluorescent backlights.

tvs: annual energy costs £5 - £77


priCE (£)

typE of tv

sCrEEn sizE (inChEs)


poWEr usE sD piCturE hD piCturE sounD sCorE

(%)

EnErgy-sAvEr tvs

sAmsung UE55D8000 2,039 LED 55 19 HHHH HHHHH HHHHH HHH 76

Lg 47LW550 970 LED 47 16 HHHHH HHHH HHHH HHH 66

most EnErgy EffiCiEnt 32-inCh bEst buys

sony KDL-32EX603 630 LED 32 12 HHHH HHHH HHHHH HHHH 67

sony KDL–32EX703 700 LED 32 14 HHHH HHHH HHHHH HHH 67

sAmsung LE32C530 360 LCD 32 14 HHHH HHH HHHH HHHH 66

Find more test results and more Best Buys at www.which.co.uk/tv


SAmSunG uE55D8000 TEST SCORE 76%PRICE £2039

ECOCHOICE

ENERGYSAVER ENERGY

CHOICE

EFFICIENTCHOICE

LOWWATERUSE

LOWRUNNINGCOSTS

GREENBUY

FUELSAVER

The cost of electricity used by the gadgets and boxes connected to your TV can really add up.

The best way to reduce energy use in DVD players and set-top boxes is to turn them off instead of leaving them in standby. PVRs (personal video recorders), however, are best left switched on so that they can record TV programmes.

The table below shows the differences in energy costs between the most and least power-hungry PVRs, DVD players and set-top boxes we’ve tested, both in use and when left in standby mode.

savE EnErgy The biggest difference in running costs is with PVRs, where the difference between the best and worst models is £16.61 a year. The Virgin Tivo uses significantly more electricity than all the others. It uses a fairly typical 19.2 watts when switched on but this hardly reduces at all in standby to 18.2 watts.

For DVD players the difference in annual energy costs between the best and worst models is less than £5 a year and for set-top boxes it’s less that £1.

We rate every PVR, DVD player and set top box we test for power consumption, so you can easily identify the most efficient models.


dvd players, pvrs & set-top boxes: annual energy costs £8 - £30

Find test results and Best Buy DVD players, PVRs and set-top boxes at www.which.co.uk/technology

AnnuAL EnErgy Cost (£) *

AnnuAL stAnDby Costs (£) **

DvD pLAyErs

bEst moDEL 3.75 0.18

AvErAgE moDEL 5.97 0.56

Worst moDEL 8.63 3.56

pvr




sEt-top boxEs




These are illustrative only and based on use in controlled lab situations. Actual costs depend on use. *Five hours on, 19 hours standby **24 hours standby



boilEr EfficiEncy

If everyone in the UK who has gas or oil central heating

installed a high-efficiency condensing boiler with full sets of heating controls, we would save enough energy to heat nearly 1.9 million homes for a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

How efficiently a boiler turns fuel into heat is normally

shown as a percentage. Since October 2010 only boilers that are 88% or more efficient can be installed in homes. Most boilers you can buy now are 88% to 89.7% efficient.

You wouldn’t expect to see a difference in your gas bills if you choose one that is 89.7% efficient over an 88% efficient one. But you could see big

time to buya nEw boilEr?

savings if you make the leap from running an old inefficient boiler to installing a new one.

how much can you savE?The table, top right, shows how much a modern condensing boiler could cut your gas bill by, depending on the size of your home. In our calculations, a boiler that’s

Switching from an old gas boiler to a new condensing model could save an average of £225 a year on your bill. We reveal whether the savings are worth the high price of a new boiler


boilEr EfficiEncy

15 years old or more is classed as old. A heavyweight boiler is floor-standing, while a lightweight boiler can be attached to a wall.

Figures are based on a quarterly standing charge of £8.50 and a gas unit price of 1.63 pence per kW – in 2010, the average price of gas was twice that, so your savings could be higher.

should you upgradE?If saving money is your main priority, it may not be worth replacing your boiler until your current one is beyond economic repair.

Based on a saving of 25% gas usage, the Energy Saving Trust estimates the average saving per household is £225. But this is based on spending £900 a year on gas – the

average bill is currently £658. Installing a gas boiler costs £2,459 on average, so you would need to save £205 each year of its expected 12-year life for it to pay for itself. The average cost of installing an oil boiler is £3,000.

However, the argument for replacing older boilers will become more compelling if fuel prices continue to rise.

To help you choose the

right boiler, we got the

lowdown on popular

condensing boiler

brands by asking 5,758

owners, all Which?

members, about their

experiences.

In May and June 2011,

we asked about the gas

and oil boilers Which?

Connect online panel

members installed in

the previous six years.

We asked what brand

of gas or oil condensing

boiler they had and

whether they’d ever had

to have it repaired, as

well as what faults they’d

experienced with it.

We also asked them to

assess how satisfied they

were and how likely they

would be to recommend

their condensing boiler

brand (regardless of their

experience of getting the

boiler installed). These

questions are the basis

of the Which? customer

satisfaction score. Our

brand reliability score is

based on the proportion

of owners who needed to

get the boiler repaired,

with a minimum of 50

responses per brand.

best boiler brands

rELiAbiLity rAting

CustomEr sCorE

gAs boiLErs

WorCEstEr 75% 79%

vAiLLAnt 75% 77%

viEssmAn n/a a 74%

gLoW-Worm 71% 69%

british gAs 71% 69%

pottErton 71% 68%

bAxi 67% 64%

iDEAL 69% 52%

oiL boiLErs

grAnt 72% 75%

WorCEstEr 72% 71%

AnnuAL fuEL Costs With DiffErEnt boiLEr typEs (source: sedbuk)

boiLEr typE EffiCiEnCy fLAt bungALoW tErrACED sEmi-DEtAChED DEtAChED

oLD gAs hEAvyWEight 55% £267 £341 £354 £397 £550

oLD gAs LightWEight 65% £231 £293 £304 £340 £470

nEW non-ConDEnsing 78% £197 £249 £258 £289 £396

nEW ConDEnsing 88% £178 £224 £232 £259 £355

reliability survey sample sizes gas: Worcester 567, Vaillant 301, Glow Worm 165, Ideal 97, Potterton 96, Baxi 132, British Gas 97. oil: Worcester 188, Grant 135. Customer score sample sizes gas Worcester Bosch 575, Vaillant 304, Glow Worm 167, Ideal 99, Potterton 100, Baxi 136, British Gas 100. oil Grant 137 Worcester 120 a Viessman gas boilers aren’t given a reliability rating as we didn’t receive enough responses from owners.

Check how different types of ratings relate to each other at www.which.co.uk/boilerfaqs


grEEn dEal

The Green Deal aims to make it easier for you to

afford to make your home more energy efficient, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

From October 2012, you could get finance up to £10,000 to help pay for energy-saving measures such as wall insulation or a more efficient boiler under the Green Deal.

The idea of the government-backed scheme is that rather than dip into savings or get a loan, you take out long-term finance attached to your home and pay this back through savings on your energy bills.

It’s a complex product and we’ve been working to help ensure consumers get enough protection, and we want the government to go further.

how will it work?Energy-saving measures will be installed by private firms after a home visit from an accredited Green Deal assessor. The assessor should be able to examine your home and suggest improvements to minimise energy bills.

The government says that the Green Deal is not a

grEEn dEal or no deal?

From next year you could borrow money for energy-efficiency improvements, and pay it back as you make savings on your bills. Here we reveal the pros and cons

traditional loan. In theory you never pay back more than you save on your energy bills each month. The government calls this the Golden Rule. It states that if new insulation, for example, saves you £15 a month on your bills, you will pay less than £15 in repayments. But this won’t be guaranteed so we’re concerned the savings won’t add up for some.

The Green Deal doesn’t work like a personal loan. It’s attached to your home, not you, so it will be passed on to the new owner when you sell your home. This is also a concern – will a new owner want to take on a home with a Green Deal charge? Many details, such as this, are still being worked out. For example, you may be able to get the Green Deal from an energy supplier, supermarket, or other provider.

you’ll pay intErEstGreen Deal money isn’t free. You’ll pay interest on what you borrow. We don’t know yet what the interest rate will be, but Which? wants to see fair terms and no hidden fees.

cAvITy WAll InSulATIOn

Average cost £500Currently at a subsidised rate of up to £200 under the government Cert scheme. Check with major energy suppliers to find out current deals.

InTERnAl SOlID WAll InSulATIOn

Average cost £5,500-£8,500Much more expensive than cavity wall insulation, but could save about £365 on average on your energy bill.


which? saysEnergy-efficiency measures can be a quick, simple way to cut costs and it’s great if the Green Deal can help. But it’s a complex financial product with a market rate of interest that may put some people off.

We’re pleased the government has taken steps to offer people better protection.

products. We want to see independent assessments.

Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said our mystery shopping investigation into cavity wall insulation found inadequate inspections and advice. He said: ‘For this scheme to be a success, Green Deal assessors need to be held to the highest standards.’

This includes setting up an impartial advice line, developing a code firms must stick to and setting up an accreditation scheme so you can identify reputable firms.

But the Green Deal will allow firms to work as assessors and providers so we’re concerned some may use assessor status to recommend their own

This illustration shows some energy-efficiency measures you may be able to install using the Green Deal. The prices are current average installation costs calculated by the Energy Saving Trust – under the Green Deal interest will be added on top of installation costs. Loft and cavity wall insulation are already available free for some people or at reduced cost. See p5.

est figures are averages, based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms.

ExTERnAl SOlID WAll InSulATIOn

Average cost £10,500 - £14,500The Green Deal should be a helpful option here. Payback is typically around £385 a year – but installation costs are high.

lOFT InSulATIOn TOP-uP

Average cost £500 Available subsidised for around £250. Depending on how much you need, you could save £40-£145 a year, topping to the 270mm recommended level.

What coUld yoU Use the green deal for?


microgEnEration

generateyour own

EnErgy As energy prices soar, generating your own electricity or hot water

is growing in popularity. We explain five microgeneration technologies – what they cost to install and how much they’ll save you

microgeneration has suddenly become

mainstream – you can now buy solar thermal panels in B&Q.

But it can be expensive and you need to think how suitable your home is, what technology works best with your existing system and what financial help is available.

solar pv What is it? Solar panels convert the sun’s energy into electricity.PROS Only daylight is needed; qualifies for feed-in tariffs (Fit) so you can sell electricity to the grid. See p32 for more. COnS Large surface area required, high initial cost, and more expensive to buy than solar thermal panels.Is it suitable for my home? You need a strong, unshaded roof or flat wall that faces south, see our solar panels report, p34. What does it cost? £8,000-£14,000. An average-sized system costs £12,000.


microgEnEration

What payback can I expect? An average-sized system saves up to £200 a year on electricity bills and around 1.2 tonnes of CO2 a year.How to get started? Visit www.which.co.uk/howtobuysolar

solar thErmalWhat is it? Panels use heat from sun to heat your home’s water. PROS Low maintenance cost, gives around a third of your hot water (larger saving if replacing electric heating system), will qualify for RHI, see p33.COnS You’ll still need a boiler or immersion heater.Is it suitable for my home? Needs 5m2 of unshaded roof space facing mainly south and space for a larger or extra hot water cylinder if your existing one isn’t a solar cylinder.What does it cost? £3,000- £5,000 to buy and install. What payback can I expect? A typical system for a three-bed semi detached house saves £50-£85 annually on bills and up to 570kg of CO2 a year. How to get started? Visit www.which.co.uk/howtobuy solarwater for advice on finding an installer and where to get solar thermal panels.

air-sourcE hEat pumpsWhat is it? An outside pump takes heat from the air to heat radiators, underfloor heating, warm air convectors and water.PROS Produces less CO2 than conventional heating systems; cheaper and easier to install than ground-source pumps.

COnS Trials show performance varies with quality of installation a key factor, savings not guaranteed, not recommended for gas-heated homes.Is it suitable for my home? You’ll need space outside for it. Works best on well-insulated, draught-proof homes.What does it cost? Around £6,000-£10,000 to install in a detached home. What payback can I expect? If replacing electric heating, up to £330 per year – much less if replacing other fuels. How to get started? Go to www.which.co.uk/airsource

ground-sourcE hEat pumpsWhat is it? Pipes buried in the ground extract heat and use it to heat radiators, underfloor heating systems and hot water. PROS Can be more efficient than air source pumps, less CO2 than conventional heating. COnS Costly to install, works at lower temperature so best for underfloor heating, not gas-heated homes.Is it suitable for my home? Most efficient in a well-insulated house. Needs a large outdoor space to lay the pipes, easiest to install in new builds.What does it cost? £9,000- £17,000 depending on scale and complexity to install.

What payback can I expect? If replacing electric heating, up to £420 a year; much less with other fuels.How to get started? See www.which.co.uk/groundsource

wind turbinEWhat is it? Uses power from the wind to drive a generator and produce electricity.PROS Can make money if connected to the grid (see p32), low running costs, possible to store excess electricity in a battery.COnS Needs minimum wind speed of 5m/s so only suits

a few UK homes, unpredictable supply, likely to need planning permission, high initial outlay.Is it suitable for my home? Works best on coastal areas, high ground and open space.What does it cost? Small turbines cost about £2,000, large mast-mounted models £15,00-£25,000.What payback can I expect? A 6kW turbine could give about £3,200 of electricity a year and save about 5.5 tonnes of CO2.How to get started? Use EST’s wind speed predictor at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk to check average speed in your area. It suggests using a wind speed meter for three months to check average speed.

Find tips on how to buy solar panels at www.which.co.uk/solar

“A typical solar thermal system for a three-bed semi-detached house saves £50-£85 annually on bills and up to 570kg of CO2 a year”

fEED-in tAriff rAtE (installations between 15 July 2009 and 31 March 2012)

tEChnoLogy gEnErAtion tAriff rAtEs DurAtion (years)

Solar PV panels on a new-build property (4kW or less) 37.8p 25

Solar PV panels retro-fitted (4kW or less) 43.3p 25

Wind turbine (1.5kW or less) 36.2p 20

Wind turbine (over 1.5kW, up to 15kW) 28p 20

Hydroelectricity (15kW or less) 20.9p 20

Micro Combined Heat & Power (2kW or less; first 30K units) 10.5p 10


can you earn cash for making EnErgy?

The schemes you can use to earn money as you produce cleaner, greener electricity and heat from home

Heat or power your home with cleaner and greener

electricity and you could earn money in return.

The feed-in tariff (Fit) gives regular and guaranteed payments to households in England, Scotland and Wales that generate their own energy.

The following are eligible for Fit payments:h solar photovoltaic (PV) panelsh small-scale wind turbinesh hydroelectricityh anaerobic digestion

generating yoUr oWn poWer

for the amount of electricity generated, calculated per unit. The rate received is determined by when you registered to join the Fit scheme and the type and size of installation.

Export tariff is payable on the units of electricity you export back to the national grid because you haven’t used them in your own property.

Your energy bills will be lower because you’ll be generating some of your household electricity yourself.

h micro combined heat and power (micro CHP).

To qualify for the Fit scheme, you need to use an installer and equipment that are both accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Check Which? Local to find recommendations.

how it worksThere are three savings elements to the tariff.

Generation tariff is a fixed-rate paid to households

EnErgy costs

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme will

pay people to produce heat rather than electricity. From October 2012, homes installing the following renewable heat technologies can join the RHI:h solar thermal panel heating systemh biomass/woodburning boilerh ground source heat pumpsh air source heat pumps.

how much can i Earn from thE rhi?The government hasn’t yet revealed how much it will pay to homes though RHI tariffs, so it’s not possible to calculate how much the payments or payback time might be. It’s likely different technologies will have different tariffs.

Ahead of the RHI’s autumn 2012 launch, you can apply for a cash grant to help install renewable heating – the RHI Premium Payment.

rhi prEmium paymEnt£15 million has been set aside to help about 25,000 households install a solar water heating system, heat pump


reneWable heat incentive

technology or a biomass boiler. There’s a limited pot of money and it’s being given on a first-come, first-served basis, so some homes may miss out.

Householders can apply for the one-off payment until 31 March 2012.h £300 for a solar thermal heating system (available to all households regardless of the type of heating system used).h £850 for an air source heat pump (for homes without mains gas heating only).h £950 for a biomass boiler (for homes without mains gas heating only).h £1,250 for ground source heat pump installations (for homes without mains gas heating only).

Bear in mind that these are relatively small amounts when set against the costs of these technologies, including installation (about 10%), which can run into thousands. Homes receiving this payment will then go on to receive RHI tariff payments from October 2012, provided they meet the eligibility criteria (details of which are not yet available).

You can find full details of Fit and RHI at which.co.uk/Fit and which.co.uk/RHI

how much you can EarnThe money you can earn from the generation tariff depends on the type of technology you have (latest rates are in the table, below left). The export tariff element of Fit is the same for all installations: 3.1p per kWh. Rates are tax-free and will rise in line with inflation. The rate is guaranteed for a number of years. The amount paid to new entrants to Fit is likely to go down each year, so the sooner you join, the more you earn.

which? saysFit isn’t ‘free’ money – you’re paying for the scheme through a levy on your energy bills. Microgeneration technologies are expensive. Fit makes them more attractive, but do your homework before installing. See www.which.co.uk for our latest advice on a range of microgeneration technologies and Which? Local for recommended installers.

EnErgy costs

‘You will save money on your electricity bills because you’ll be generating some of your household electricity yourself’


solar panEls

bring mesunshinE

Find out about the different types of solar technology you could install to heat or power your home

Solar technology can reduce your electricity bill but the technology is expensive and not all homes are suitable

EnErgy costssolar panEls


you could reduce your energy bills and earn cash

by installing solar panels. But the technologies can be costly and not all homes are suitable.

Before you even consider it, making your home as energy efficient as possible is a much simpler way to save money. Install solid or cavity wall insulation, and good loft insulation, and check your boiler is efficient.

You’ll need a sunny, mainly south-facing roof or wall, strong enough to take the weight of solar panelling. Also check you don’t need planning permission. Installers should be accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Visit www.which.co.uk/local to find one in your area.

solar panEl systEmsThere are two types of solar panel system. Solar PV panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert the sun’s energy into electricity, while solar water heating uses energy from the sun to fuel domestic hot water systems.

Solar Pv panelsThese are made from silicon. Differences in how the silicon is cut and treated affects how efficient and expensive they are. Make sure you know what type of system you’re dealing with when comparing quotes.

The energy generated by a PV cell is measured in kilowatt peak (kWp). An average PV system (2kWp) costs about £12,000 to install. It can provide 40% of electricity to power a

home, producing a saving up to £200 a year.

Domestic solar PV systems qualify for the government feed-in tariffs (Fit) scheme. This gives guaranteed payments for electricity generated by the system. You can also connect to the grid and sell back energy you generate but don’t use.

Solar water heatingSolar water-heating panels convert light energy from the sun into heat. This is transferred from the panel to your hot water

tank, heating the water in your system. You can add solar water-heating panels to most domestic systems, but may have to add a water cylinder, or adjust the one you have. You still need a boiler or immersion heater to give hot water or to make it hotter, when solar energy isn’t available.

There are two main types of solar water-heating panels – flat plate and evacuated tubes. Get several quotes and ensure that your installer takes your current energy and hot water use into account before they recommend a system for you.

Solar water heating costs £3,000-£5,000 to install. A typical system meets a third of a homes’s hot water needs, saving £60 to £90 a year for a three-bed semi. From October 2012, solar water heating systems will be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). This will give long-term tariff support which may be based on how much renewable energy your system produces. If you don’t have a system, you can apply for an RHI Premium Payment for installation costs.

rEnt-a-roof schEmEsMany energy companies run Rent-a-roof schemes. You lease your roof to a firm to install the panels on and you get the free electricity produced. You don’t pay to have the system installed, but the company keeps the Fit payments.

so is it worth it?Lower bills won’t cover the cost of installing panels, but the Fit scheme could see your system pay for itself. The RHI scheme will offer some cash to those generating heat from solar panels, too (p33).

You’ll need a sunny, mainly south-facing, roof or wall strong enough to take the weight of solar panelling

energy guide 266512

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