Making your home as energy efficient as possible will reduce the amount of energy that you require to keep your home warm.
Reducing your energy usage doesn’t have to cost you a fortune - there are some easy steps you can take to reduce the energy you use in your home.
How much energy am I using?
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has published guidance on how much the average electrical appliance costs to run. Visit their How much electricity am I using webpage for more information.
Free ways to reduce energy use
Here are some free ways to reduce your energy use:
Turn off lights and appliances when you're not using them
Appliances such as your kettle, toaster, TV and even phone charger can still use up energy even when you are not using them. Switching them off at the plug can ensure no energy is wasted. This could save you £30-£45 a year!
Avoid overheating your home
Heating your home so much that you need to open windows is not energy efficient. You can either:
- programme your heating to come on and off as you need it
- leave the thermostat at a comfortable temperature (18°c-21°c) and set your thermostatic radiator valves (TRVS) between III (3) and IV (4), which will self-regulate your heating
- leave your heating on low throughout the winter.
Do not overfill your kettle
If you are making one cup of tea but fill your kettle up full you will have used more energy trying to heat a greater volume of water. The smaller amount of water you try to heat, the less energy you will use.
Do a full washing instead of half a load
Reducing your washing load by 1 per week could save £5 a year. It’s also better to dry clothes outside (where possible) or on a clothes horse in front of your radiators to let the heat out. You should try not to cover your radiators with clothes.
Have shorter showers and fewer baths
By spending one less minute in the shower each day, you could save £7 a year. Replacing one bath a week with a short shower could save you £5 a year.
Move furniture away from radiators
By moving your furniture away from radiators and keeping doors shut, you can prevent heat loss and allow the heat to circulate effectively.
Consider switching energy suppliers
Switching your gas and/or electric supplier (energy supplier) could save you between £200 and £300 a year. We recommend comparing energy suppliers every year, or at the end of your fixed term period. Read more information on switching suppliers.
Low-cost ways to reduce your energy use
Here are some low-cost ways to reduce your energy use:
Switch your bulbs to LEDs
Switching to LED bulbs could save you up to £35 a year. They're slightly more expensive but use less energy and are likely to last longer than traditional light-bulbs. You’ll usually make the cost of the LEDs back in a matter of months, with the energy saved.
Invest in heated clothes airers
Heated clothes airers or clothes horses use less energy than a tumble dryer and are cheaper to purchase.
Make use of draught excluders
Invest in thermal curtains and draft excluders. These can significantly reduce heat loss as well as reduce drafts in your property.
Consider buying a water-saving shower head
Water saving shower heads can save up to 26 litres of water for an average seven-minute shower. That’s over 9000 litres of water per person, every year!
Home improvements to reduce energy usage
If you are a homeowner or private landlord, there are several ways you can make your property more energy efficient. This will reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your property warm and comfortable.
Please see here for advice for landlords and private landlords
Below are some helpful videos from Cosy Kingdom and The Energy Saving Trust to talk you through ways to save energy:
