Only heat the water you need! Your kettle is one of the most energy-demanding appliances in your home. The more water you boil, the more energy your kettle will guzzle. When it comes to your washing machine, the opposite is true: fill it up! If you only have half a load, try and wait until you have more laundry to wash. Washing more clothes, less frequently is the key.
Turning your thermostat down just a couple of degrees can have a big impact on your energy consumption. But before you rush to turn the heating on in the first place, it’s always worth asking yourself if it’s really necessary.
Now, we’re not suggesting you shiver your way through the depths of winter with no heating, but sometimes it’s more sensible to put a jumper on than heat your entire home – especially if you’re the only one in.
Remember to switch appliances off completely. TVs and hi-fis use almost as much energy in standby mode as they do when they’re turned on. In fact, the Government Direct website estimates that the average UK household wastes around £40 a year by leaving appliances on standby.
Try to remember to turn the lights out in rooms you’re not using. Over the course of a year the energy and money you save can really add up. Also if you’re yet to switch to energy saving light bulbs, consider making it a priority. Traditional incandescent bulbs only use a small proportion of the electricity they consume to generate light – the rest is wasted as heat. Compact fluorescent and energy saving bulbs can use up to 80% less energy than regular incandescent bulbs.
Obviously this only counts if work is within walking distance or on a bus route, but if it is, making the change is a hugely positive move that has three big benefits: you’ll save the atmosphere from more of your car’s harmful greenhouse gases and you’ll save a noticeable amount of money on petrol. What makes this tip even better is that you’ll be improving your cardiovascular health too, helping you on the way to a fitter you. Or if you can’t walk then why not get the bus? The fewer vehicles there are on the roads, the more we minimise the harm we are collectively doing to the environment.