turn off entertainment equipment when not in use most appliances still use energy while on standby. This can save you over £40 per year
don’t leave chargers plugged in when not in use. This can save you over £15 per year
completely switch off your computer, unplug laptops and other peripheral devices overnight and when they are not needed . This can save over £10 per year
General Areas
turn off lights in rooms which are unoccupied. This can save at least £12 per year
draught proofing for doors and windows, particular attention should be on doors to garages and window seals. This will make heating your easier and more efficient
close doors to retain heat. If everyone is staying in one room for a long period of time closing the door will retain the heat where everyone is
top up insulation if possible, around the water tank and pipes are quick and easy. Only do insultation if it is possible and seek professional advice
reduce the temperate of your home by 1 degree. Most people in your home will not notice the difference and it could save up to £400 per year
Kitchen
completely fill the dishwasher before turning it on, this makes the dishwasher more efficient and limits the number of times it has to be run
fully defrost before cooking, it cooks faster and lower the energy needed to cook it
cook multiple meals at once in the oven and reheat later. A full oven is easier to heat and less cooking is required later in the week
only use washing machines when the load is full. An emptier load requires more energy to spin and also means more washing will need to be done throughout the week
switch to an electric airer from a tumble drier. Tumble driers are one of the most expensive and energy intensive appliances in our home. Swapping can save you £1 per hour of use.
for cooking try using an air fryer rather than the oven. As the air fryer does not need to be pre-heated and costs have the amount of money to run per hour
swap using your electric hob for a slow cooker. An air fryer costs 8p per hour rather than 58p per hour for the hob and saves you time as well.
Bathroom
increased insulation for the bathroom to retain shower heat. This may require professional advice and installation
turn off an extractor when you are not showering if possible
bathroom radiators and towel racks to not need to be on constantly. In a small room such as a bathroom it can be heated in under an hour
Water
water usage accounts for 12% of most household bills through energy and water usage
don’t leave the tap running whilst brushing your teeth, washing your face or cleaning dishes
use a water butt to collect rain water to water in garden in the summer
when waiting for the tap to heat up save the cold water in a bucket and use to wash dishes, water plants or bathe the house pets
have shorter showers, the world health organisation advises showers of 4-5 minutes
have showers over baths, the flow rate of a shower is much lower and this less water is used
have short rinse cycles for washing machines and dish washers.
