Domestic energy efficiency

Understand domestic energy use. 

Fuel type: gas, electricity, oil, coal – balance of use across UK households; key trends over time.

Types of energy use:

Heating or cooling a property, generating hot water; appliances and devices - lighting appliances; cold appliances; wet appliances; consumer electronics; home computing; cooking appliances.

Typical patterns of usage for UK households (what takes up most/least of the energy consumed).

Associate typical uses with different fuel types (e.g. gas – heating).

Energy efficiency labels on appliances.

Smart meters as a way of understanding domestic energy consumption within a household. 

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Summarise domestic energy consumption in the UK by fuel type. 

• 1.2

  Explain how different types of energy use contribute to the overall energy consumed in a domestic house. 

Understand domestic energy efficiency. 

Energy efficiency definition: using less energy to perform the same task, eliminating energy waste.

Specific examples of efficiency/inefficiency/waste such as heating escape through poor insulation; combination and condensing boilers compared to hot water tanks.

Energy efficiency certificates: energy efficiency of a building rated from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient); how costly it will be to heat and light the property; likely carbon dioxide emissions; recommended energy efficiency improvements and their potential impact on rating and cost. 

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Explain what is meant by energy efficiency in the context of a domestic house. 

• 2.2

  Compare and contrast energy efficiency of different properties from analysis of their energy performance certificates. 

Understand the benefits of domestic energy efficiency. 

Environmental benefits of energy efficiency: reducing pollutants including greenhouse gases, carbon footprint and use of non-renewable resources – more sustainable for population as a whole.

Economic benefits of energy efficiency: reduced cost to the bill-Payer. 

Basic understanding of energy bills: e.g. standing charge plus kilowatt-hours of energy, or KWh, reinforcing the fact that most of energy bill relates to amount of energy used.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Explain the environmental and economic benefits of domestic energy efficiency. 

Understand how domestic energy efficiency can be improved.

Product replacement: simple exchanges (e.g. light bulbs); next upgrade (e.g. selecting a more efficient tumble drier when replacing an old one); more fundamental changes (heating system/boiler).

Changes to fabric of a home: wall/floor/roof or loft/hot water cylinder and pipe insulation; double glazing; draft-proofing.

Changes in behaviour: setting thermostat lower or for less time; switching off and unplugging devices; showers rather than baths.

Designing to improve domestic efficiency (in relation to new buildings or extensive property development): through insulation; draught-proofing; heat pumps; integrated solar panels.

Sources of information and advice:

• Independent organisations and charities, e.g. energysavingtrust.org.uk; simpleenergyadvice.org.uk
• Consumer advice on products and services, e.g. Which?
• Money-saving and price comparison websites, e.g. moneysavingexpert.com which include ways to reduce domestic energy use
• Citizens Advice Bureau for information on rights and grants
• Energy companies
• Central and local government websites

Different aspects of energy efficiency – products, behaviours, choice of energy/supplier, home improvements.

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Explain how replacing products and making changes to the fabric of a home can improve domestic energy efficiency. 

• 4.2

  Explain how changes in behaviour can reduce domestic energy waste. 

• 4.3

  Describe ways that energy efficiency is being designed into new homes. 

• 4.4

  Explain where to find information and advice on different aspects of domestic energy efficiency.