Energy-saving tips

There are many small changes you can make in your everyday lives that will, over time, help you reduce your energy bills. As well as saving you money, you’ll also be helping to protect the environment. Have a read through these low-cost ideas to get started.

Saving energy in the kitchen

1. Selecting the right appliances: check the appliance’s energy label before you purchase a new one for your home. You may compare the energy consumption of one appliance to others by looking at its energy label. This might assist you in locating appliances that consume the least energy
2. Selecting the right size for your appliances: the energy efficiency of home appliances has improved over the years, with the most efficient having an energy rating of A (or A+++ for older scale). Choosing the right size for your appliances will ensure you benefit from energy savings. If all you store in your fridge or freezer is a few items, then consider getting a smaller size
3. Don’t leave appliances on standby: when left on standby, your electric oven, dishwasher, microwave, washer, and tumble dryer will all consume electricity. To save electricity, try to develop the habit of turning them off at the outlet. You can save around £65 a year just remembering to turn off appliances
4. Add an aerator to your current kitchen tap: an aerator would allow you to decrease the flow of water while maintaining proper washing and rinsing functions. You could save £30 a year
5. Dishwashers: try to use the low temperature programme, and wash a full load each time
6. Washing machines: a full load is more economical but, if you can’t, use a half-load or an economy programme if the machine has one. Modern washing powders are just as effective at lower temperatures than on high ones
7. Tumble dryers: do not tumble-dry really wet clothes, wring them out or spin-dry them first. It’s much faster and will save you money
8. Air drying: if you have an outside washing line it is far cheaper and more energy efficient to use it. It also helps prevent condensation problems in your home
9. Fridges: don’t leave the door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape. Allow hot or warm food to cool before putting it into the fridge. Defrost your fridge regularly to keep it running efficiently and cheaply. If it tends to frost up quickly, check the door seal. If you have to put your fridge next to a cooker or boiler, leave as big a gap as you can between them

Saving energy around the home

1. Thermostat: turning your thermostat down by 1 degree could cut your bill by 10%, also programme your heating and hot water to come on only when you need it instead of all the time
2. Curtains: close curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows
3. Boiler: make sure gas boilers and room heaters work efficiently, have them serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you rent, your landlord must provide an annual gas appliance check
4. Lights: turn the lights off when you leave a room. This will save you around £25 a year on your annual energy bills. Also use low energy light bulbs – they use a quarter of the energy and last ten times longer
5. Laptops, Desktop and Tablets: choosing a laptop over a desktop and avoiding leaving the laptop in standby could save up to £45 per year. Tablets on average uses 70% less power compared to laptop
6. Draughts: make sure your exterior doors and windows fit well and fill any gaps in floorboards or under skirting boards with beading or sealant
7. Hot water: hot water does not need to be scalding. For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing. It is also cheaper than using a higher setting