Save Energy - Save Money

One of our usual New Year resolutions is about consuming less - be that food, alcohol, cigies and other toxins. Why don’t you try to consume less energy this year? This could save you money and would also help the environment.

There are several simple ways to reduce our energy consumption without compromising on comfort. Here are a few tips on how to achieve this:.
 

Electricity

• Switch off lights when they are not needed
• Use low-energy light bulbs & low voltage lighting wherever possible
• Replace large electrical kitchen appliances that are over ten years old
• Don’t leave your fridge door open too long - every minute of being open requires 3 minutes to regain its temperature
• Keeping refrigerators and freezers full makes them more efficient
• When you go on holiday, empty the refrigerator and switch it off (leave the door open to avoid a stale smell)
• Defrost your freezer regularly
• Let the air dry your clothes - only use a dryer when you need something to be dried quickly
  Switch off electrical items such a computers, CD& DVD players, TV’s etc rather than leaving them on standby
• If you live in a hot climate try no to overuse any electrical air-cooling systems - complement them with a ceiling fan and use them together, trying to use the fan more & more
• Search the net on electricity suppliers and compare their prices - switch to the company that offers the best deal in your area

Water

• Don’t have a bath every day -  have a shower instead  - a bath uses three times more water than a 5 minute shower
• Turn off the tap whilst cleaning your teeth
• Use a water-saving flushing mechanism on your toilets (they have two buttons - one for full flush the other for half flush). Alternatively, place a brick into your cistern to reduce the water stored
  Only run your washings machine and dishwasher when they are full
  Fix dripping taps
• Collect & store rainwater in butts outside your house - use it for watering the garden and washing your car

Heating

• Turn down your heating by a just couple of degrees - it will make little difference to your comfort but much to your pocket!
• Put reflective panels behind radiators to reduce heat loss
• Insulate your hot & cold water cylinder
• Fit draught excluders to doors & windows
  Install double or triple glazed windows
• Proper loft insulation can save you 25% on your heating bill - so get it installed or update your existing one if its thickness is less than 10" (250mm)