Energy Saving Tips

Don't leave electrical items on standby

When your electrical devices are on standby they go into a type of sleep. They’re not actually turned off but are powered down into an energy-saving mode. 

However, this still uses energy. According to the Energy Saving Trust, leaving TV, computers and other electrical items on standby can add up to £86 to your annual electricity bill

Use smart devices

Although there can be considerable initial outlay, smart devices can reduce the amount of energy you use. You can control smart thermostats, plugs and lights from your smartphone. If a smart thermostat is out of your price range, investing in some smart plugs. Plug in any existing appliances and you'll be able to control them from a smart phone. Some are even compatible with smart assistants like Alexa.

Unplug your phone after charging

If you keep your phone plugged into the charger after its battery is full, you’re using more energy than necessary. This is because the charger will keep using the same amount of electricity as long as your phone is plugged into it, whether the battery is charged or not. 

The same goes for other rechargeable devices such as smartwatches, power banks and handheld games consoles.

Swap to an aerated shower head

Showers, especially quick ones, are more energy efficient than baths. But you can make your shower super-efficient by switching to a water-saving shower head. This'll mean there is less water to heat each time you shower, and it won't impact your shower experience at all. Reducing your water usage can cut bills and help the environment. For a typical family, it's a 2% saving, or about £35 a year on average for a typical home. free water-saving gadgets Cutting just a minute off your shower time could save £75 a year in energy bills, and a further £105 a year in water bills if you have a meter – £180 a year for an average four-person household.

Only wash full loads

No more half washes – wait for a full load before using your washing machine.

Dry your washing outside

Tumble dryers are some of the most energy-guzzling appliances so it helps to avoid using one unless you have to. While this is easier in the summer months, when you can dry your clothes outside for free, in the winter, try and use an airer to dry clothes.

Wash clothes at lower temperatures

According to the Energy Saving Trust, washing clothes at 30°C will use 40% less energy than when washing at higher temperatures. Don’t worry that your clothes will come out dirty – modern detergents are able to get good results at lower temperatures. 

Use eco cycles

It might sound counter-intuitive but using longer washing cycles on washing machines and dishwashers can save you money. According to Bosch longer cycles mean that the water doesn't not need to be heated as much compared to shorter programmes. It also means your dishes or clothes will be soaped for longer, which means there is no noticeable difference in cleaning capability.

Don't put hot food in the fridge or freezer

While batch cooking can save you a fortune on your grocery bills, don’t put your hot food in the fridge / freezer straight away. Let food cool down first – otherwise it takes extra energy for the fridge to cool it down. 

Use the microwave instead of the hob

According to the Energy Saving Trust, using a typical microwave (800W, category E) for five minutes will use about 0.09kWh of electricity. In comparison the typical gas consumption each time a gas hob is used is about 10 times as much at 0.9kWh.

Turn down your thermostats in cooler months

Whatever your preferred temperature, Uswitch.com calculates that households could potentially save up to £128 a year by turning it down by a single degree, it's unlikely you will notice any adverse effects on comfort levels. 

Keep the heat you generate in

Draughtproofing is a great way to use less energy in the winter months as it means the heat you do generate in kept in, rather than leaking out. Check your home for any gaps around doors, windows and floors which are prime areas for heat to escape. 

Bleed your radiators

Bleeding your radiators removes air bubbles trapped in the pipes in your home, allowing water to circulate more freely. This will get more surface area heat out of your radiators and reduce cold spots, lowering the amount of energy needed to heat your home.

Get a smart meter

A smart meter records your gas and electricity use and sends automatic meter readings. Installing a smart meter won’t save you money on its own, but they can help you manage how you use energy within the home and make changes accordingly.

Replace halogen bulbs with LED lights

LED bulbs last much longer and use 80% less power. So if you have any halogen bulbs in your house, now is the time to change them. 

Buy energy efficient appliances

Appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and fridges are rated A to G for energy efficiency, with A the most efficient. According to Which?, the least efficient appliances would add an eye-watering £490 a year to your energy bills, but choosing the most efficient would cut this down to just £154.

Turn down your boiler's flow temperatures

Flow temperatures are the temperatures the water leaves your boiler at to heat your home or provide hot water. Energy supplier Octopus warns that default flow temperature settings are usually too high. If you have a combi boiler, it recommends setting your flow temperatures to 50°C for heating and 55°C for hot water.

Only heat your home when you need it

Don’t leave your boiler running 24 hours a day. Most boilers or thermostats will let you set a schedule, so the heating only comes on for certain hours each day. Think about your routine – what time you get up, when everyone will be out, and what time you all get home – when setting a schedule.

Install radiator reflectors

Radiator reflectors, or standard tin foil, installed behind radiators reflect heat back into the room, and help the radiators warm the room more effectively. This is because they prevent heat escaping to the outside.

Turn off lights

Make sure that you and your family – always turn off the lights when leaving a room. According to Utility Design, about 10% of us leave lights on in empty rooms. It says households could be wasting £2.30 a day by leaving lights on unnecessarily. By taking on as many of these changes as you can, you will keep your bills as low as they can be, which will be incredibly important in todays climate.

Windows and doors

Put up curtains or blinds at all windows. The thicker the curtains the better and if you have radiators under the windows tuck the curtains behind the radiator. You want the heat to come out of the radiator and into the room. Also, put-up curtains on the front and back doors, if possible, not always appropriate. This will help keep the heat in the house. Curtains help with heat retention by limiting the flow of air between the warm and cold areas of a room. Heavy curtains will form a barrier that’ll limit the flow of air from the main room to the window. Some studies show it can reduce heat loss by 15%.

Draughts

Fill any gaps around the window and door frames for example use expanding foam and/or sealant. For ill-fitting doors and windows there are range of draught excluders on the market both for external and internal but the cheapest is probably draught excluder tape for external and draught excluder cushions for internal.

Thermostatic Radiator Values

Put TRV on the correct number for each room temperature required. Numbers on TRV are equivalent to room temperature

How to use your heating

There are various ways to use your gas central heating system, and it’s about finding the best on for you and your house. NICE guidelines state the main living room the temperature should be between 18-21°C and at the higher end for those ill or disabled.

Kitchen

Cooking tips- Use the right sized pan for the food and the hob. Keep saucepan lids on to keep in the heat. Make toast in the toaster, not under the grill.

White goods - When buying white goods check they have the best rating you can afford, it will save you money long term.

Batch cook and put things in freezer once it has cooled. Use slow cooker, microwave oven, air fryer if you have them before using a big oven.

Don’t over fill the kettle - The more water you boil, the more energy you use.

Further tips & support

• Wear lots of thick layer clothing to keep warm.
• Try eating at least one warm meal a day and try to eat small snacks regularly.
• Use a foil emergency blanket to keep warm.
• Wear hats, gloves, socks and use a hot water bottle.
• Put newspaper underneath rugs, flooring to help insulate.
• Have several warm/hot drinks throughout day.
• Use the central heating and turn radiators valves down to 1 in all rooms except the one you’re using and put to 3 or more if needed (There will be one radiator without a value don’t turn off as this is an emergency radiator and can prevent boiler overheating)
• Do light exercises, to keep mobile and warm, this can also help your mental wellbeing
• Don’t use the hot water tap unless necessary, wash hands in cold water.

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