Energy saving tips

Here are some ideas which could help you save money in the long term, and help the environment at the same time!

1. Turning your thermostat down by 1^oC could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save you around £30 per year.
2. Is you water too hot?  Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60^oC/140^oF.
3. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
4. If you have a water filled radiator against an outside wall, place a reflective panel or kitchen foil to the wall behind it to reflect the heat into the room, not into the wall.
5. Fit draught proofing to doors and windows.
6. Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
7. Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
8. When buying new appliances, always check their energy rating - A is more energy efficient than G.
9. If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme.
10. Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle).
11. Put lids on saucepans whilst cooking to retain heat.
12. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
13. Showers instead of baths reduces both water consumption, and uses less energy to heat the water.
14. Replace your light bulbs with energy saving recommended ones: just one can reduce your lighting costs by up to £78 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.

By completing a home energy check you can receive a free, impartial report from the Energy Savings Trust telling you how you can save money on your household energy bills.