Energy Saving Advice

Save energy at home

Some tips on small things to do to save energy in your home.

• Kitchen

  Try to stick to 30°C when using your washing machine, and when you do, make sure it’s a full load.

  Use a bowl when washing dishes in the sink to conserve water and energy, and save up to £25 a year. And when using your dishwasher, choose the eco setting and always try to make sure it’s full before hitting the on button.

  Whether it’s one cup of tea or ten, try to boil only the water you need in your kettle.

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• Bedroom

  Tweak your radiator controls so you don’t heat rooms you aren’t using. Keeping the curtain or blinds and doors closed in rooms you aren’t using will all help keep the heat from escaping.

  Unwanted draughts could be responsible for making rooms around your home feel chillier than you'd like. Houses that are properly draught-proofed are more comfortable at lower temperatures - so you’d be able to turn down your thermostat and save even more on bills. If you’re comfortable carrying out simple DIY tasks, now’s your chance to draught-proof doors and windows around your home.

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• Bathroom

  You can save on energy and water bills if everyone in your household reduces their shower time by just one minute. An aerating shower head will help you save even more.
  
  Don’t leave the tap running while washing your hands, shaving or brushing your teeth, and make sure it is properly closed when you’re done. A dripping tap can waste well over 5,000 litres of water a year.

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• Living Room

  Turn off as many lights and appliances as possible when you aren’t using them and try to avoid standby mode. It’s best not to leave portable electronics such as laptops or mobiles on charge unnecessarily, as this can waste energy too.
  
  Energy efficient bulbs are also a great way to curb your usage. If possible, we recommend replacing standard light bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs which can help reduce your costs in the long term, as these bulbs last longer and require fewer replacements. For more tips on choosing the right bulb for you, you can visit our guide on energy-saving bulbs.

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• Garden

  Is the sun shining? Switch off the tumble dryer and dry your clothes the natural way on your balcony or in the garden.

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• Heating

  Did you know that turning down your thermostat by just 1°C could save up to 10% on your heating bills and around £80 a year? You can also save by programming your boiler and heating to only come on when you need it.
  
  Moving furniture a few inches away from your radiators helps heat better circulate around your home. Bleeding your radiators and releasing any air trapped inside of them will also ensure your heating is more energy efficient and help you save on bills. Here’s everything you need to know to do this yourself.

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• Use your smart meter

  Your smart meter can help you monitor your heating and electricity usage as it provides you with live data. If you already have one installed in your home, follow our smart meter guidance to learn how it can help you be more savvy with your energy usage.

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