Win-win energy saving tips

You’ll make real savings on your gas and electricity simply by checking out – and putting into practice – these easy tips for energy efficiency. And you’ll also be playing your part in taking better care of the environment.

Heating your home

  • Keep radiators clear. Blocking a radiator with furniture or behind curtains reduces its output and efficiency.
  • Warm enough? Turning your thermostat down by 1°C can reduce your bill by up to 10%
  • Keep windows closed in cold weather. Otherwise you’re paying for heat that’s going straight out of the window! If you’re too hot, turn the heating down.
  • Close curtains. If you close curtains at dusk, it helps to keep the warmth inside your rooms.
  • Thermostats. Check your thermostat is in the best place for maintaining a balanced temperature – away from draughts and any cold or hot spots.

Lighting your home

  • Use daylight. Why spend on electricity when daylight will do the job? Enjoy free light all day by keeping windows clean and clear.
  • Switch off lights in empty rooms. Turning off unnecessary lights can save you up to 15 per cent of your lighting bill.
  • Use energy-efficient light bulbs. The latest Low Energy light bulbs use only 20 per cent of the energy a normal light bulb uses to produce the same amount of light.
  • Keep your light fittings clean. Dirt reduces lighting efficiency, encouraging people to turn more lights on.

Appliances in your home

  • Turn off at the plug. Leaving televisions, videos, DVD players and stereos on standby can use anything between 10-80 per cent of the power that would be used if the device were switched on. Turn them off at the plug.
  • Bath or shower? Having a bath can use at least twice as much hot water as an ordinary shower. But – power showers can use more than a bath. An ordinary shower gets you just as clean! – and costs least.
  • Don’t overfill your kettle. Only heat the amount of water you need.
  • Fridges. Don’t overwork them by leaving them open, and don’t place food in them that is still warm.
  • Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly. It might take a while, but regularly defrosting these appliances helps them to run much more cheaply and efficiently.