- Switch off lights in rooms when they are not in use. You could save more than 10% a year by doing so
- Use energy saving light bulbs. They’re widely available and last about 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs and use about 20% of the energy, saving you money and reducing energy.
- Switch off electrical appliances including mobile phone chargers, at the wall socket rather than leave on standby. A home computer can cost up to £50 a year in standby position while a TV in standby mode, uses around 75% of the energy it uses, when turned on. Consider all the items you could save on – washing machine, tumbler dryer, dishwasher, TV, stereo, microwave etc
- New homes are designed and built to reduce heat loss but you can ensure you keep your heating bills low by turning down your heating temperature by just one degree. Heating costs rise by approximately 7% for every 1 degree your heating goes up. Reduce heating in rooms that are not used daily and remember to reduce your thermostat if you’re planning to be out of your home for more than a few hours. Keep heating low in halls and landings that are not used for long periods.
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- Consider where you place your furniture in your new home. Placing furniture in front of radiators makes it harder for the radiator to work efficiently and heat your room
- Conserve water by taking showers instead of baths
- Wait until you have a full load for your washing machine before you use it. If you wash at 30 degrees for lightly soiled clothes, you’ll save up to 20% energy as the majority of energy is spent on heating the water. If you follow the same guidelines for your dishwasher, you’ll save even more
- Electric kettles use high levels of energy so boil enough water for your immediate needs
- Recycle – most local council now have days when they collect recycled materials. Most large supermarkets also have recycling areas for bottles, plastics, paper and cardboard.
- You can be energy efficient in your garden too. Use kitchen waste such as tea bags, raw vegetable waste and waste paper into a bin and you have your own compost
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