1. Use energy saving light bulbs.
They can last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and replacing just one ordinary bulb can save you around £40 for lifetime of the bulb.
2. Turn off the taps!
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!
3. Only boil as much water as you need in your kettle.
Boiling more water than you need uses up unnecessary energy, but remember to use enough water cover the element if you're using an electric kettle.
4. Wait until you have fully loaded dishwasher or washing machine.
If possible, make sure you fill up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher before turning it on as one full load uses less energy than two half loads.
5. Turn off all electrical appliances.
Leaving appliances such as your television and DVD player on standby uses unnecessary energy, as does leaving your laptop, mobile phone and mp3 players on charge unnecessarily.
6. Turn off the lights.
Always turn off the lights when you leave a room. The UK wastes 170million pounds a year by leaving on unnecessary lights.
7. Stop heat escaping.
You can help stop heating escaping through windows by simply closing your curtains of a night, also check for draughts around your windows and doors.
8. Is your water too hot?
Your cylinder thermostat should be set at 60°C/140°F.
9. Turn your thermostat down.
Simply turning down your thermostat so that your room temperature is just 1°C lower could cut your heating bills by up to 10% (typically saving you around £55 per year).
Also if you can program your heating and hot water to only come on at the times you need it, this will also save unnecessary energy.
10. Check your home.
You may be able to save energy and money as well as reducing your carbon footprint through any of the following;
- loft insulation
- cavity wall insulation
- double glazing
- draught proofing
- tanks and pipe insulation
- a new energy efficient boiler and heating controls
- more energy efficient appliances (e.g. fridge, freezer, washing machine etc)
- energy efficient lighting