Energy Saving Tips at Home
Whether you are looking to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle or simply want to save energy and reduce bills, everyone can get involved in saving energy at home! Saving energy need not cost you anything or mean loss of comfort, but we do need to take action.
Switch it Off!
- Only use heating, lights and appliances when you need them.
Heating
- Try turning your heating thermostat down by 1°C, it will save about £10 a year. Recommended temperatures for a living area are 21°C and for hallways and bedrooms 18°C
- Keep furniture and curtains away from radiators.
- Fit Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs), allowing you to set different temperatures in different rooms.
Hot Water
- Ensure pipes and hot water tanks are adequately insulated.
- Only heat water when you need it. The use of a timer will allow you to control how much electricity you use.
Lighting
- Switch off unnecessary lights.
- Fit energy saving light bulbs. They use about a quarter of the electricity and last eight times longer than regular light bulbs. On average a CFL can save you £7 a year off your electricity bill.
Insulation
- A poorly insulated home looses up to half of its heat through the walls and roof. Cavity wall insulation and loft insulation are low cost measures that can save you money and keep your home warmer.
In the kitchen
- Use a plug when washing hands, dishes or food.
- When cooking choose the right pan size for the food and the cooker.
- Put lids on pans as the food will cook a lot quicker, so using les energy.
Appliances
- When using your washing machine - try to have full loads and use the lower 30°C wash.
- When buying appliances look for the energy efficiency label.
- Do not leave any appliances on standby!
For more top tips download Top Tips at Home (.pdf)
What else can I do?
- Switch to a green electricity supplier
- Arrange a free home energy check from the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre
- Find out more about energy efficiency from the Energy Saving Trust and National Energy Foundation
- Look up energy saving appliances from the Energy Saving Trust
- Think about generating your own renewable electricity - find out more from the Energy Saving Trust, National Energy Foundation and grants to help you install systems from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme
Page Last Updated: 6 May 2009
