12 energy-saving tips

Could you cut the cost of your gas and electricity bills by becoming more energy efficient? Probably! Read on for some simple energy-saving tips…

Peter Earl From the Energy team
4
minute read
posted

1. Don’t boil water in a pan

Use your kettle, and then pour it into the pan – it uses far less energy than heating from cold. And don’t fill your saucepan to the top; just use enough water to cover what you’re cooking.

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2. Opt for a shower, not a bath

According to the Energy Saving Trust, if everyone in a family of four swapped one bath a week for a five-minute shower, it could save up to £20 a year on their gas bill. And if you spend a minute less in the shower, then you could save an additional £7 per person every year. Consider changing your shower head to an eco version, too. Plus, a family of four can save around £75 a year on gas (and £120 on water if they have a meter).

Opt for a shower, not a bath

3. Remember your just-boiled kettle

How many times have you boiled the kettle and walked away, only to come back five minutes later to boil it again? Another good way to save energy is to only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need.

4. Wash at 30

Today’s washing detergents are very effective at 30 degrees, so try to avoid washing laundry on a higher setting. Wait until you have a full load too – that saves on water as well as energy. Use an eco-wash setting if you can.

Wash at 30

5. Line-dry when you can

Try to reduce the amount of tumble drying you do – it uses a lot of energy, and line-drying is free!

6. Take control of your heating

Are you heating rooms that aren’t being used? Make sure all your radiators have thermostats on them – and use them. The Energy Saving Trust suggests that turning down your thermostat by just one degree could save around £75 per year. 

Also, check whether heat could be leaving your home through gaps. Thick curtains, draught excluders, even a piece of putty in a small gap around a window will help keep the heat in.

Take control of your heating

7. Use energy-saving lightbulbs

Changing your 40W light bulb to a new energy-efficient 8W could cut your energy usage by around 20 per cent. Also, turning off lights that don’t need to be on is an easy money-saver.

8. Make life easy for your fridge

Clean around the back, as dusty coils can make it work harder. Don’t overfill it and try not to leave the door wide open. Find out about efficient food storage.

Make life easy for your fridge

9. Be smart about the washing up

Try to only use one bowl of water when washing up, and avoid rinsing plates as it wastes clean water. If you use a dishwasher, fill it completely before you put it on.

10. Monitor your energy use

Energy suppliers are in the middle of a smart meter rollout, with the goal of offering one to every home in England, Scotland and Wales by 2020. A smart meter shows you how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. Smart thermostats are also available, such as Nest and Hive, which give you maximum flexibility when it comes to managing your heating. You can even control your heating when you’re out, using your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Read our guide to smart meters

Monitor your energy use

11. Make long-term investments

If you’re not planning to move in the near future, then it may be worth looking at more longer-term energy-saving solutions. Solar panels can make you money in the long run – you could save anywhere from £85 to £220 on your electricity bill each year, as well as earning money for energy you generate and sell back to the grid.

Read our guide to solar power

Re-insulating your home is another good investment, as is replacing your boiler if it’s getting old.

12. Compare energy suppliers

Hopefully, some of our energy-saving tips will make a difference in your home. But don’t sit back and accept what you’re paying for your energy, especially if your supplier has recently increased their prices. Just dig out your latest energy bill, start a quote with us and we can tell you if you could save by switching to another provider.

Compare energy suppliers

Get a quote in minutes and you could start saving

Get a quote

Compare energy suppliers in minutes and you could start saving

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