Preparing For The Mini Ice Age

PREPARING FOR THE MINI ICE AGE Resent research suggests that by 2030 the UK could be entering a new 'mini ice age'. This isn't an ice age at all, but does mean that winters could be harsher and summers colder. This infographic guides you through the steps you need to take to make your life mini ice age proof, showing you the best ways to: Make your house Grow and store energy and heat efficient Reduce reliance on the national grid your own food PREPARING YOUR HOUSE FOR THE MINI ICE AGE 6 10 5 13 (11 8 ENERGY AND HEATING 1 SOLAR PANELS WIND TURBINES • Work surprisingly well in cold climates • An effective way to produce your own energy and reduce dependence on the national grid • Relatively cheap way to help you produce energy • Price, and savings, depend on the model of turbine • Suitable site should have a minimum average wind speed of 6m/s Cost £6000- £9000 3 GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP • Save between £410 - £2000 per year Cost: £3,000 - £30,000 depending on model • Efficient heating method • Can be used with radiator or underfloor heating systems Cost: £11,000-£15,000 INSULATION A well-insulated house is already a money saver and will only be more important should the temperature drop. Here are a few basic ways you can make your home winter proof. DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS • 10% of energy lost through windows CHIMNEY BALLOON 4 Blocking inactive chimneys is an easy way to keep heat in • More cost effective than triple glazed windows. Cost £25 Cost £350 per window LOFT INSULATION 7 WALL INSULATION • Can save up to £240 a More than 1/3 of heat is lost through walls 1991 year • Approximately 25% of heat is lost through the гоof Cost for cavity wall insulation £350 - €750 Cost for solid wall insulation £5500- £18000 Cost £350 8 DRAFTPROOFING DOORS AND KEYHOLES 9 FLOOR INSULATION Warms floors! Can save between Cheap and effective heating solution £30-90 per year Cost £300- £900 depending on home PIPE & TANK INSULATION 10 11 • Keeps water hot for longer STORM PRO0F DOOR One of the most effective ways both to stop heat leaving your house and to stop cold air getting in • Saves energy • One of the easiest ways to save money • A British Standard jacket around your cylinder will reduce heatloss by more than %75 Cost: depends on the door! • Annual savings of £100 Cost: Circa £50 FOOD PRODUCING YOUR OWN FOOD 12 Should the UK experience Scandinavian style winters growing and storing your own food could be a great way to ensure you get fresh food and aren't so reliant on your supermarket. There are many greenhouses that are designed to thrive in harsh environments. Cost £1000-3000 13 STORING YOUR OWN FOOD Root cellars have been used since the iron age for using cool earth to store food. Although people have built large walk in root cellars, simply using a well-insulated container can also be effective. KEEPING YOURSELF HEALTHY IN THE MINI ICE AGE One of the problems you might face in a mini ice age is a deficiency of vitamin D, normally gained from the sun's rays. You can combat this with a UV Lamp or, perhaps more sensibly, Vitamin D supplements. UV Lamp Vitamin supplements Cost £12 Cost £8 TAKE UP A WINTER HOBBY! Ice fishing Cross country skiing Cast Iron Radiators 4u Sources http://www.uswitch.com/solar-panels/guides/solar-panels-cost/ http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/ http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/insulating-tanks-pipes-and-radiators http://epicgreenhouses.com/riga-greenhouses.php/ http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/