Energy Saving Advice

Sometimes small changes make all the difference…

Changing a few of your energy habits can make your home more energy efficient – and keep your bills down.

Start using these energy saving tips energy saving ideas around your home.

Heating Tips

• Set your heating to go off 30 minutes before you leave the house, and come on again 30 minutes before you expect to return
• Turn the room thermostat down by 1 degree. This can save you around £30 a year
• Make sure your radiators are not obstructed by curtains or furniture
• Draw your curtains at dusk to help keep the heat generated inside your rooms
• Insulate your loft space and consider cavity wall insulation too

Electrical Appliances

• Use energy efficient light bulbs which use less energy and last up to ten times longer than standard bulbs
• Turn off household appliances such as microwaves, TVs, videos, music systems, and computers when not in use, as they continue to use energy when they are left on standby

Refrigeration

• Don’t leave the fridge door open and try to avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge as this increases the energy required to keep the contents cold
• Defrost your fridge frequently and check the door seals. Avoid putting your fridge next to heat generating appliances such as an oven or boiler. If possible, keep the freezer in a cool room or garage

Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers and Dishwashers

• Use a low temperature setting and only wash full loads or use a half-load or economy programme
• In summer, dry your clothes outside rather than using a tumble dryer
• When drying your clothes indoors, use a clothes rail instead of a radiator as this stops the heat from reaching the rest of the room
• Modern dishwashers use less energy and water than washing up by hand

Cooking

• Use a pan which is the same size as the cooker ring to prevent heat loss
• Use a lid on saucepans where possible, so the contents heat up faster and require less energy
• Consider using pressure cookers, steamers and microwaves which use less energy

Hot Water

• When using a kettle, only boil as much water as you need
• If you live in a hard water area, limescale can affect the efficiency of your kettle. Look out for a build-up of limescale in your kettle and treat with vinegar or descaling solutions
• Consider turning the thermostat on your hot water tank down to 60 degrees centigrade which is a comfortable temperature for most people and will save on your heating costs
• If you have a standard shower it will use around 40% of the water required for a bath

For additional advice on keeping your energy bills down, visit Energy Saving Trust