While youre waiting Like the Student Switch Off

While you’re waiting… Like the Student Switch Off Page www. facebook. com/ studentswitchoff Follow us and our friends on Twitter @ecopowerranger @NUS_sustainable @NEA_UKCharity

Saving energy and money in your rented accommodation Dr Neil Jennings, NUS

Before we start… Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know! Ask them why they came along today? • Energy-saving tips • Advice on how to save money • To know more about your rights as a tenant • More information about smart meters

Areas we will cover today 1. 2. 3. 4. Context Your rights as tenants Actions you can take to save energy yourself Things to look out for next time you househunt The session is meant to be informal, with group work, so feel free to ask questions!

Energy bills have a significant impact on students • How much do you think the average student spends on energy in their home each year? • Average student energy bill (gas and electricity) over £ 500/person/year • Significant financial outgoing for students • Inability to pay bills or heat the home adequately can have a significant impact on physical and mental well-being • That’s why we’re running a campaign on it

Homes Fit For Study survey (2017) • 2, 500 respondents across the UK • 45% struggled at least from time to pay their energy bills • 43% had turned their heating off even though they would have liked it on because of concerns about energy costs. • 49% of respondents say they have felt uncomfortably cold in their accommodation

Homes Fit For Study survey (2017) • 55% say that the overall level of warmth in their accommodation at the time of completing the survey was either a bit or much colder than they would have liked • Cold-related problems - damp or mould on walls or ceilings (38%), condensation (33%), slugs, mice or infestation (16%). • Almost half (49%) say their accommodation is poorly insulated and/or draughty

The impacts of living in cold homes described by students include… Mental health and wellbeing “At the time was making me quite sad and miserable as I don't like being cold. ” Woman, 2 nd year, South East, Separate billing Physical health “The main issue with health has been mould related. Cold and damp houses mean mould and that's probably played a big part in me and others getting ill. ” Woman, 3 rd year, East Anglia, Separate billing Academic work Social relationships “It would have been so much easier to work this winter if I had been warmer! My hands get so cold when typing that I lose my feeling in them and can't physically type anymore so I have to have a break. I considered getting USB hand heaters. ” Woman, Ph. D, North West, Separate billing "I feel stressed that its all in my name and my bank account, sometimes issues in situations where its only one person there for 2 -3 weeks over breaks and they still rack up a huge bill etc. Makes me sad and lonely at times cause have to always be in my bedroom under duvet, find it difficult to concentrate on reading etc. " Woman, 3 rd year, South West, Separate billing

Actions you can take to save money on your energy bills • Reduce the cost of your energy bills by: • paying less per unit of energy • using less energy • Live in a warmer house by: • Making small changes yourself • Lobbying your landlord to make changes to the infrastructure of the property • Avoid living in a hard-to-heat house in future

As a tenant you have the right to switch suppliers • Switch supplier – if you pay the bills yourself, you have the right to switch supplier or tariff • Can save typical households over £ 200/year • May be slightly less for student households • Look at the price comparison websites online – name some! • Some landlords and letting agencies state that tenants can’t switch their energy provider– this is illegal

Smart meters are being rolled-out across Great Britain at the moment • If you pay the bills yourself you can request a smart meter from your energy provider • Available at no additional cost to you • The In-Home Display (IHD) helps you to keep track of energy usage and identify wastage

It is important to understand your energy bills • Depending on your energy provider and tariff you may receive energy bills once a quarter or see realtime costs/usage via a smart meter • Can be a long time between moving in and getting a bill • Take meter readings when you move in – including a dated photo • If you pay by direct debit you will probably pay the same each month and the difference between that and your actual usage will hopefully average out over the year

Things to look out for on bills • Estimated usage – contact the energy company if your actual usage differs significantly, particularly if it is much lower • Standing charges – daily charges for access to electricity and gas irrespective of how much you use • Check that the meter number is correct!

Low cost, no cost energy saving tips • Different parts of the home/themes • 2 -3 mins to come-up with as many energysaving tips as possible in a team of 2 -3 people

The kitchen Actions you can take to save energy • Different parts of the home/themes • 2 mins to come-up with as many energy-saving tips as possible

Energy can be saved whilst cooking • • Put a lid on when cooking Correct sized pan for the hob Don’t overfill the pan Cook together!

Microwave food – e. g. rice! • • • 100 g rice, rinsed – own-brand is fine 220 ml boiled water Microwavable dish Max power, 12 mins Saves energy, saves time, perfect rice

Don’t overfill the kettle • Minimum fill-line • Turn off the kettle just before it boils • Optimal temperature for most tea and coffee is below 100 oc

Defrost your freezer • As ice builds up the freezer uses more energy to keep it cold – because it’s cooling ice/water rather than air • Defrost your freezer when lots of ice accumulates • Don’t flood your kitchen!

Other kitchen tips • Don’t leave taps running, save energy and water – clean dishes in a basin • Allow food to cool down before putting in the fridge • Keep a window/door open when cooking to avoid condensation build up

Space and water heating

Boiler/heating settings • Make sure you’re not heating the house unnecessarily! • Google your boiler if you need details of how to change the temperature/timing settings • Adjust radiator valves

Boiler/heating settings • Make sure there is a cylinder jacket. • Don't leave the hot water heating on all the time discuss as a household what you need and when! • Check whether the property has a 'time of use' tariff (e. g. Economy 7) which gives cheaper electricity to heat water at some times of the day.

Keep the heat in • Close curtains when it gets dark • Tuck curtain behind radiators • Plug gaps – ask your landlord to fill any gaps in the windows, install insulation tape around the doors • Get/make a draught excluder!

Lower energy washing • • Take (shorter) showers Wash full loads of clothes Wash clothes at lower temperatures (30 oc) Dry clothes naturally

Get the most out of your radiators • Open windows to get rid of moisture – it’s harder to heat moist air than dry air • Don’t dry clothes on radiators • Install reflective foil behind radiators • Avoid portable heaters if possible

Be smart about your appliance choices • Buy energy efficient appliances (A+++ = best D = worst) • Buy LED lightbulbs (best) or CFLs (pretty good too!). Avoid halogen bulbs • Don’t leave appliances on (or on standby) unnecessarily • Turn off appliances when you head home for holidays (apart from your freezer!)

House-hunting tips • Ask to see the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from your landlord/letting agent • Check the energy-rating of appliances • Ask if the property has a smart meter • Look out for the tell-tale signs of a cold house (mould/condensation) • Speak to current tenants • Ask what their typical energy bills have been • Ask to see a Gas safety certificate • Check for working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are important to check • Every property should have one – legal responsibility of the landlord to display it when advertising the property • Shows how energy efficient the property is on a scale from A to G • A = best G = worst • Rating is likely to affect how much it costs to keep the property warm • Best to avoid F and G-rated properties

Tell-tale signs • Report problems to the landlord/lettings agent • Take action to address it yourself too

We are here to provide tips and support • Student Switch Off+ • Monthly e-mail newsletter with energy-saving advice • Competitions to win prizes for showing your energy-saving • Let us know if you want to be added to the newsletter

What we covered 1. 2. 3. 4. Context Your rights as tenants Actions you can take to save energy yourself Things to look out for next time you househunt Questions and idea-sharing

Thank you Dr Neil Jennings neil. Jennings@nus. org. uk

Thank you Dr Neil Jennings - neil. jennings@nus. org. uk Like the Student Switch Off www. facebook. com/ studentswitchoff Follow us and our friends on Twitter @ecopowerranger @NUS_sustainable @NEA_UKCharity