Originally published on 13th January 2009
Britons are amongst the most energy wasteful people in Europe
according to a recent survey by the EST.
In total, the energy we waste as a nation each year is now growing
close to the equivalent of powering an additional 7 million
non-existent homes!
Below are some simple tips to help reduce energy wastage and
save money.
1. Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room
temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%,
saving you around £60 a year.
2. Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat
should be set at 60°C/140°
3. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat
escaping through the windows and check for draughts around windows
and doors
4. Don't leave appliances on standby and
remember not to leave mobile phones and laptops on charge
unnecessarily
5. Only boil as much water as you need
6. Fill up the washing machine, tumble dryer or
dishwasher. One full load use less energy and in one week
wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps
and make sure they're fully turned off.
7. Use energy saving lightbulbs. They last up to
10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and using one can save you
around £45 over the lifetime of the bulb. this saving could
be around £70 over its lifetime if you're replacing a
high wattage bulb, or one used for more than a few hours a
day.
8. Put silver foil behind radiators. This will
reflect the heat back into the room, preventing it from being
absorbed into the wall.
9. Keep your fridge and freezer full. The emptier
it is the harder it has to work to keep everything inside
cold.
10. Have showers instead of baths. Filling your
bath uses an average of 80 litres of water which is a huge waste of
both water and energy.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.