Energy saving tips

Here are some helpful tips from E.ON that could help you use less energy and cut your bills. If you switch to the Age UK Energy tariff, you can get a free energy monitor to show you new ways to save electricity.*

In this section:

• How to run your dishwasher and washing machine using less energy
• Chill the bill – run your fridge and freezer more efficiently
• Turn it off – get cheaper electricity bills
• Cover up and insulate – make your home draught free and warmer
• Boiler troubles?
• Nice and warm without the cost – how to spend less on hot water and heating
• What’s cooking? – cook for less
• Heating help - how to run your heating system more efficiently

  Download 100 ways to help you save energy

How to run your dishwasher and washing machine using less energy

• Look for ‘A’ ratings when you need to buy a new appliance – most modern appliances have an ‘A’ rating when they are energy efficient
• Don't run your dishwasher unless it's full, to avoid wasting energy and to save money on electricity
• Switch to cold washing - 85 to 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is used to heat the water. By turning the dial to cold on your washing machine, you save energy and save money
• Try and dry your clothes outside – this will save you energy and money compared to using your tumble dryer
• Wring clothes by hand or spin them in your washing machine before you put them in the tumble dryer if you have to use it – this will shorten the drying time required
• Avoid over drying your clothes in the tumble dryer – it wastes money and makes them harder to iron
• Don’t dry clothes on the radiator – it makes your boiler work harder
• If you don’t have a full load of washing, use the half load setting as it will save water, money on electricity and energy
• Descale your washing machine – it will keep it working efficiently
• Washing at 30°C saves energy and money compared to washing at 40°C
• Use economy settings if your dishwasher or washing machine has them, as they are cheaper to run on these settings

Chill the bill – run your fridge and freezer more efficiently

• Let it breathe - leave some space around the fridge to allow good air circulation. Bad circulation could increase its electricity consumption by up to 10%
• Buy the right size fridge or freezer for your home - this could save you money on electricity costs
• Keep the back of your fridge and freezer clean as it will help keep it running efficiently
• Don’t overfill your fridge – cold air needs to circulate as it works harder to do this, when it’s full
• Try to keep your freezer at least three quarters full – the less empty space inside, the more efficiently your freezer can work
• Make sure the door fits tightly on your fridge or freezer and that the rubber sill is not worn. If not, your appliance will work harder and cost you more to run
• Keep fridges and freezers away from cookers, heaters and direct sunlight. If they need to be close together leave a good gap
• Defrost your freezer regularly if it does not do it automatically. Letting more than 6mm or ¼ of an inch of ice build up, makes your freezer work inefficiently
• Buy a fridge thermometer if your fridge does not already have one, and set it to the optimum temperature of 0˚C - 5˚C.
• Let hot food cool before putting it in the fridge - otherwise the temperature will rise inside putting other food at risk and making your fridge work harder
• Don't leave the fridge door open any longer than necessary, as it allows the cold air to escape

Turn it off – get cheaper electricity bills

• Use a fluorescent tube light in the kitchen – they give long lasting light and have low running costs
• Switch lights off when you leave a room –you’re wasting energy by leaving them on when you don’t need them
• Fit outside lights with a sensor - so they will only be on when you need them
• Try to use the right low energy wattage bulbs– they will give you a good light and cost you less to use
• Don’t leave televisions, DVD players or computers on standby. It’s wasting your energy and money
• Don’t leave things charging unnecessarily -electric toothbrushes, battery chargers and mobile phones should be turned off when fully charged
• Use solar powered lights for your garden -they use no mains electricity which will save you energy and money
• Invest in energy saving stand by plugs which automatically turn off TV’s, computers and laptops
• Use low energy light bulbs - they last up to 10 times longer and cost about 80% less to run than standard bulbs

Cover up and insulate – make your home draught free and warmer

Get an expert in to examine your home and advise where your insulation could improve.

• Wrap around cold water pipes with insulation and over the tank in your loft - don't insulate under the tank as this allows warm air rising from the rooms below to circulate and help prevent freezing
• Put draught excluders around the loft hatch to reduce the amount of heat escaping into the loft
• Insulate the back of the loft hatch with a securely fastened piece of insulation material -this will reduce the amount of heat escaping
• Spray insulation foam around areas where pipes enter your home to stop draughts – but make sure you don't block vents and wear a mask while you spray
• Have cavity wall insulation installed if your walls are suitable and you don’t already have it – it will reduce your homes heat loss
• Always use underlay with carpets to stop heat escaping through floors
• Seal draughts between floorboards, skirting boards and behind bath panels – very effective for keeping warm
• Consider double glazing  - it will pay for itself over time
• Alternatively, install internal secondary double glazing – it can be cost effective
• Draught strip doors and windows with foam insulation strips – it’s cheap and very effective
• Line your curtains – it will keep valuable heat in
• Draw curtains when it goes dark – this stops heat escaping and draughts coming in
• Keep windows and internal doors closed when it’s cold – this will keep heat inside where you need it
• Make a ‘sausage dog’ – use rolled up blankets or sausage shaped cushions to keep out draughts from your window sills and doors – very good for keeping warm
• Get a keyhole cover – this will help keep out draughts
• Invest in a draught excluder for your letter box to help save you money
• Insulate your loft with at least 270mm/11 inches of mineral wood insulation - this will make your home more efficient and help save you money on your energy bills

Boiler troubles?

If your faith in your boiler is dwindling or if your electricity account is too expensive (compare electricity prices to make sure your provider isn’t over charging you), it might be in your best long term interests to spend some cash on a new boiler.

If your boiler is between 10–15 years old it might very well be worth replacing it with a new energy efficient one, they are available from about £299, but can also cost up to £1,500 or more, so have a good look around to ensure you aren’t paying too much for your new boiler. But the new energy efficient boilers could help you save up to £275 a year on your electricity bill!

Nice and warm without the cost – how to spend less on hot water and heating

• If you do have a bath avoid wasting water – don’t fill the bath deeper than you need
• Put the plug in when washing your hands instead of using running water – it will save you hot water and help with heating costs
• Use a washing up bowl in the kitchen sink –you will use less water
• Try rinsing hand washed dishes in cold water instead of hot – it will save hot water
• Keep your cylinder cosy – ensure your hot water cylinder has a 80mm jacket
• Wrap up exposed pipes in insulation – it will save heat and help stop them freezing in winter
• Boil the kettle when you only need a small amount of hot water
• Shower instead of taking a bath - baths use up to three times as much hot water as non - power showers
• Make sure your immersion heater thermostat is not set too high – 60°C is ideal
• Ensure you turn taps off when you're not using them – it will avoid wasting water
• If your central heating also heats your water, fit a cylinder thermostat to help ensure you don’t overheat your water
• Turn down your heating when going on holiday in winter – it will still ensure your pipes don’t  freeze and avoid wasting heat when you’re not there
• Alternatively, if you go away in the summer you could consider turning your water heating off altogether – saving you money while you’re away
• If you’re on a water meter be careful not to waste any, especially hot water as you will be paying for the water and to heat it
• If you don’t have a water meter fitted and there are only a small number of people living in your home, you could save money by having a water meter. Your water provider will be able to advise on what’s best for you
• Replace washers on dripping taps – you’re wasting water if they are dripping

What’s cooking? – cook for less

• Only boil the amount of water you need - this will use less electricity
• Never put a small pan on a large ring - it wastes energy and money
• Cut food into smaller pieces as it cooks quicker
• Put lids on your saucepans when cooking to reduce cooking time
• Use the inner ring if you have dual rings – food will cook in the same time, but use less energy
• If you have a gas hob, make sure you have it on the right setting for your saucepans – if you find flames going up the sides, your setting is too high
• Use a steamer or segmented pan – you will be able to cook several types of vegetable on just one ring
• Use an energy saving kettle to boil water – these allow you to boil just what you need
• Descale electric kettles regularly – limescale makes your kettle work harder
• Don’t delay – many modern ovens, especially fan ovens, need little or no preheating
• Try using all the space in your oven when it’s in use - you could cook extra portions of food that you can freeze
• Use an electric toaster – they are quicker and more efficient than electric grills for making toast
• Avoid chip pans – try an electric deep fat fryer, they are safer and more economical
• Try a pressure cooker – they cook food faster due to the high temperature and pressure conditions  inside the cooking pot
• Use a slow cooker – for many dishes these are more efficient as you can cook the whole dish in one pot
• Buy a halogen or induction hob if you’re looking for a new one – they are efficient, controllable and easy to clean
• Grill if possible – it can be healthier and quicker than using the oven
• Try to turn boiling vegetables or rice down to a simmer – they will cook in the same time, but it will cost you less
• Use a microwave to heat things up – they are quick, easy to use, economical and energy efficient
• Keep the glass in your oven door clean - you will then be able to see through it to check your food, instead of opening the door and letting the heat out

Heating help - how to run your heating system more efficiently

• Don't leave your heating on all day if you're not there - it's a myth that it's cheaper to do this than having it on just when you need it
• Program your heating for the week ahead - so that it is turned off when you're away and on when you are back
• According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning your central heating thermostat down just 1 º C could save up to 10% on your fuel bills
• Turn down your heating before opening a window, so you don't waste heat you're paying for
• Avoid putting storage heaters under windows or near draughts - it can affect the sensor measuring your rooms temperature
• Fit thermostatic radiator valves to radiators - you'll then be able to alter individual room temperatures to suit your needs
• Heat water with your boiler - using an immersion heater is often more expensive
• Fit the right size radiator to suit your room - it means your rooms will not be cold when you're using your central heating
• Don't cover radiators with curtains or furniture - it makes them less efficient
• Avoid overheating your house at night while you're sleeping - try a thicker duvet first to keep you warm
• Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice during the winter - this allows the heat to circulate effectively and efficiently
• Replace boilers over 15 years old now if you can - you could save up to 40%* on your fuel bill
• Pick a gas condensing boiler if you're getting a new one - these are highly efficient
• Keep internal doors open when it's warm - this will allow air to circulate throughout your home, helping to keep it warm for free
• Ensure your fuel burning appliances are checked annually - this helps ensure they are working efficiently

Notes

* Age UK Energy customers can apply for their own E.ON Energy Starter Pack containing monitor and software either when they buy online or by calling 0800 156784.

Age UK Energy is a trading name of Age UK Enterprises Limited (a trading company of Age UK‚ which donates net profits to that charity). Registered in England and Wales No. 3156159. Registered Office: Astral House‚ 1268 London Road‚ London SW16 4ER.  E.ON Energy Solutions Limited. Registered office: Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park‚ Coventry CV4 8LG. Registered in England and Wales No. 3407430.

¹Age UK Group comprises of the Charity and its group companies and works with national partners (Age Cymru‚ Age Scotland & Age NI) and local partners (local Age UK/Age Concern charities).

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