Energy conservation
Whether in your kitchen, bathroom or living room, there are simple actions you can take to conserve energy that add up to large savings on your energy bills.
Follow the steps outlined below to reduce energy use in your household.
Turn down radiators in rooms you aren’t using to save up to £40 a year
When you’re not using rooms, turn radiator valves down to a lower setting.
Turning off radiators completely in rooms you are not using is less energy efficient as this means your boiler has to work harder to maintain the temperature of a room you are heating than if kept at a low setting. Turning off radiators can also cause issues with mould and damp.
People over 65, children under 5 and those with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable to cold temperatures. Make sure you are warm enough and have a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C (setting 2 or 3 on your radiator valves) to ensure you’re healthy and comfortable.
Install an energy efficient shower head to save £40 a year
Energy efficient shower heads reduce the amount of water used by either regulating the flow or aerating the water. They can be purchased at any home improvement shop and fixed independently. Some water companies even provide them for free. They’re not suitable for electric showers, which should be switched to ‘eco mode’.
Wash clothes at a lower temperature to save up to £20 a year
Modern washing machines can clean clothes effectively at lower temperatures. Changing from 40°C to 30°C means you could get 3 cycles instead of 2 using the same amount of energy, depending on your washing machine.
Free actions
Using your tumble dryer less could save up to £50 a year
Tumble dryers are one of the most energy-intensive devices in the home. Use your tumble dryer less frequently by ensuring you have a full load, around three-quarters of the drum. Or use a clothes airer to dry clothes outside, or inside with a window open for ventilation. You should also avoid overfilling your dryer as this could lengthen the drying time.
Turn appliances off at the socket to save up to £40 a year
Almost all electrical appliances in your home, such as computers, televisions, smart devices and video game consoles, draw power continuously unless unplugged. Turn off the power switch at the socket or unplug appliances from the socket when they are not in use.
Take shorter showers and save up to £50 a year
Reducing your shower length to 4 minutes will save water and money on your energy bill. If your water is metered, it will also save you money on your water bill.
Low cost actions
Switch to energy saving light bulbs to save up to £60 a year
Traditional or incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient. By switching to energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs, you can save money on your energy bills while keeping your rooms well lit. LED light bulbs also last longer than traditional bulbs, saving on maintenance costs. The amount of light, or colour of the light (white to yellow) is not linked to a bulb’s energy usage, so you can get the same light at a much lower energy cost.