Making your home energy efficient means using less energy to heat,
light and power your home. By being energy efficient you can
be kind to the environment and save money on your gas and
electricity bills at the same time.
Instant, cost-free ways to be more energy efficient
- Your thermostat - turning down your
thermostat by as little as one degree could cut your heating
bills by as much as 10%, saving you around £50 a year. One
degree is not a big compromise, and if you do notice the
difference, you could try putting on extra layers before turning
the heating back up. Also your hot water thermostat should be
set at 60°C or 140°F - any higher is too hot for everyday needs.
- Standby - According to the Energy Saving
Trust, a shocking 8% of the UK's total TV energy consumption is
just from standby - so turn appliances off when you have
finished using them. This doesn't just apply to your TV either -
make sure your stereo, DVD player, laptop etc get switched right
off too. Also keep an eye out for gadgets being left to charge
for longer than they need to be.
- Washing and drying - between 85 and 90% of
the energy your washing machine uses is just needed to heat up
the water. Therefore, by dropping the water temperature of your
wash you reduce the amount of energy you'll use. Try not to use
the washing machine until you have a full load and avoid using a
tumble dryer where possible by hanging clothes on an outside
washing line instead.
- In the kitchen - if you're making a hot drink only boil the amount of water you'll need rather than a full kettle. Try not to leave the fridge or freezer door open longer than is necessary - it wastes electricity. Also a full fridge or freezer is easier to keep cool and will use less energy, so keep them well stocked. It doesn't have to be with food either - you could always fill some old bottles with tap water and use those to fill any gaps.
More tips coming soon....
