Making small changes in your home can help to create a cleaner and greener environment as well as save on those pricey energy bills. It can be done without breaking the bank, here are a few simple ways of cutting down your energy costs:
They last 10x longer than a standard bulb and can save you £40 per bulb installed.
Only fill the kettle with the minimum amount needed to save energy.
Devices continue to draw power even when they’re in standby mode or not in use, this is known as ‘vampire power’.
This is an obvious one. Stop heat from escaping by closing doors, especially in the room you’re heating. Most of our heat escapes through floors, skirting boards and any gaps in doors and windows so it’s a good idea to use draught excluders. Thick or lined curtains stop heat from escaping through any cracks in window frames too, this can reduce heat loss by as much as 25%
Throw on a blanket. Electric fires are one of the biggest energy consumers so avoid using them unless absolutely necessary.
Put lids on saucepans when cooking, not only will this save you 30% of the energy used when cooking, but food will cook quicker.
Showering uses 2/5ths of the water needed for a bath.
Tumble dryers consume more energy than most washing machines. End your wash with a fast spin to remove as much water as possible and then dry on a clotheshorse.
Set your heating to come on 15-30 minutes before you need it to, and to turn off at least 30 minutes before you go to bed.
Buying an energy efficient fridge freezer could make as much as £70 difference to your energy bill compared to an inefficient model. Compare efficiency of models before you commit to buying.