Home Energy Saving Tips That Save You Money

Heating

Turn down your thermostate. For every degree you lower your heat in the 22°C to 17°C range, you'll save up to 10% on heating costs. Wear warm clothing like a sweater and set your thermostat to 20°C or lower during the day and evening, heath permitting. Set the thermostate back to 15°C at night or when leaving for an extended time.

Hot Water Tank

An insulating jacket for a hot water tank only costs a few pounds and pays for itself within months. Fit one thats at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £20 a year. If every UK household fitted a jacket on their tank tomorrow, we'd save over £95 million of energy every year!

Light Bulbs

If you use a particular light for an average of four hours or more a day, then replace it with an energy-saving equivalent - which will be used around a quarter of the electricity and last up to 12 times longer. Each energy efficient light bulb fitted could give you an estimated saving household. You use 60-90 litres of hot water for a bath, but less than 35 litres during a 5-minute shower.

Kettles

Heat the amount of water you really need and if you're using an electric kettle, make sure you cover the elements. More modern kettles have no visable element so you can use less water, you could also try to fill a cup and use it as a guide to fill the kettle, so that you boil the right amount of water.

Curtains

At night, pull the curtains to stop heat being lost through the windows. Take care not to drape curtains over radiators as this will funnel heat straight out of the windows.

Televisions, DVD Players and Computers

Switch off your TV, DVD or video players at the set. Stanby can use as much as 10% - 60% of the electricity that would be used by the device if it was switched on. Also, don't forget to turn your computer moniter off, as it too wastes electricity if left on.

Appliances

When purchasing kitchen appliances such as fridges, freezers, dishwashers and washing machines, opt for a more efficient appliance. An EU Energy Label should be displayed (A to G scale) on appliances for sale in order to help make your choice, "A" being the most efficient and "G" being the worst guzzler for energy.

Tumble Driers

Tumble dryers are energy guzzlers so try to use wasking lines or airers. Don't put very wet clothing into the dryer, make sure you wring clothing out or spin dry to help use less energy.

Fridges & Freezers

These are the most hardworking appliances at home. Avoid putting warm or hot foods in the fridge, let them cool down first. Dont't leave the fridge or freezer door open, this means the fridge uses more energy to cool itself back down due to the cool air lost opening the door.

Insulation

Upgrading loft, and where possible, cavity insulation, will save energy in your home by reducing losses through building fabric. Isulating your loft is one of the simplest ways to save energy and you can even install it yourself. Insulate your loft today and in a year you could save between £180 and £220. Around 33% of the heat lost in your home is through walls, so insulating them can be the most cost effective way to save energy in the home - you could save £130 to £160 on your annual heating bills! Cavity wall insulation will also keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It's straightforward, inexpensive and hassle-free.

Switch to High-Efficiency Boilers

If your boiler is over 15 years old it's probably time to replace it. You should have your boiler professionally serviced, at least once a year. A clean and serviced appliance will operate more economically and will have a longer serviced life.

Eliminate Draughts

Eliminate draughts and wasted heat by installing a cheap, easy-to-fix bruxh or PVC seal on your exteror doors. Letterboxes and keyholes should be covered too. You can install draght proofing yourself.