Energy saving top tips | Beat the Cold

There are many things you can do to help save energy and money in your home

Heating and Water

Turn your heating down by 1°C.
Use your central heating timer to turn heating on and off and not the thermostat.
Keep your radiators clear. For example, do not put a large sofa in front of the radiator as it will absorb a lot of the heat.
For properties with high ceilings, placing a shelf just above the radiator helps to deflect the heat into the centre of the room rather than it drifting straight up to the ceiling.
Put radiator panels behind radiators fixed to external walls to help reflect the heat back into the room.
Put draft excluders around the doors and windows. Draft proofing could save you around £25 a year on your heating bills. [Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-assumptions, Feb 2011]
Use thermal or heavy curtains during the winter and close them at dusk. This will help stop heat escaping through the windows.
Remove all draughts around the house to help stop the heat from escaping.
Use letter box covers and key hole covers to help minimise draft.
Installing cavity wall insulation could save around £110 a year1.
Installing loft insulation could save around £145 a year1.
Fit double glazing to reduce heat loss through windows.
Try to limit electric showers to 10 minutes or invest in a shower monitor to keep an eye on how much hot water you’re using.
Make sure the water immersion tank is insulated. This will help keep the water hot for a longer period.
Replace boilers older than 15 years old. Also, installing a new condensing boiler and controls could save you around £225 a year. [Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-assumptions, Feb 2011]
Installing a hot water cylinder jacket could save you around £35 a year. [Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-assumptions, Feb 2011]
Installing primary pipe work insulation could save you around £10 a year. [Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-assumptions, Feb 2011]

Electrical Items

Turn off the lights you don’t need or aren’t using.
Use energy saving light bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and using one can save you around £45 over the lifetime of the bulb. [Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Lighting, Feb 2011]
Don’t leave things on standby, or save around £30 a year on your electricity bills by using a Standby Saver.
Ensure all electrical appliances are turned off at the plug when not in use. Some items can still use energy when plugged even if the appliance has been turned off.

Fridge and Freezer

Don’t put hot food in a fridge or a freezer.
Keep your fridge at the optimum temperature of around 3°C to 5°C.
Load and unload your fridge as quickly as possible and don’t leave the fridge door open for longer than you need to.
Defrost your fridge or freezer on a regular basis to help prevent a build up of ice.
Keep fridges and freezers away from cookers and direct sunlight.
Get the feather duster out – When dust gathers on the condenser coils at the back of your fridge it can increase its energy consumption.
Replacing an inefficient fridge-freezer with an A+ or A++ rated model can save around £38 a year.

[Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-assumptions, Feb 2011]

Cooking

Only fill the kettle with as much water as you actually need.
When boiling vegetables use just enough water to keep them covered.
Use the kettle to boil water for cooking, instead of heating a pan on the stove. Not only will this be more efficient, but it generally takes less time too.
Always use the right size of pan for your cooking ring and put a lid on it. This will help save energy as it will cook quicker.
Make sure the gas flame only heats the bottom of the pan. This will help save gas and also stops the handle from getting hot and burning your hand.
Make sure taps are fully turned off after use. This will help save both water and gas.
Use a microwave or a pressure cooker instead of the oven as they should cook food quicker.
A steamer or segmented pan means you can cook several types of vegetables on one ring.
Don’t keep the oven door open for too long when it is in use.
Switch off the oven sooner, as some dishes will cook while the oven is cooling.
If you do not use the clock on your microwave turn it off when not in use.

Laundry

Always use a full load in a washing machine.
Use an economy programme on your washing machine whenever possible.
If the weather is fine, dry your laundry outside instead of using the tumble dryer.
As tempting as it is, don’t dry clothes on the radiators. It makes your boiler work harder than it needs to.
Keep filters clean in your tumble dryer.
Use Eco Balls in the tumble dryer. They make gaps in the washing to allow the heat to move more freely so clothes will dry quicker.