15 useful tips to save energy

Many of us worry about high energy costs, especially during the winter when consumption tends to increase.

If you’re concerned, the first thing to do is check you’re on the best possible tariff, and switch if you’re paying more than you need to. Next, see if you’re entitled to any assistance with your energy bills.

Beyond that, there are some practical ways you can save energy day-to-day and chip away at your bills. Here are our top tips.

1. Keep your home cool without overspending

When trying to keep your home cool in the summer months, it's important to be aware of how much more electricity you'll be using.

The Energy Saving Trust says running a fan for 24 hours continuously can cost between 15p and 31p. By contrast, a portable air conditioning unit can cost up to £6 to run non-stop, resulting in a much bigger bill during a heatwave.

USB fans can be a cheaper way to stay cool while working. Also, keep your windows closed on particularly hot days and shut blinds and curtains when the sun is shining through your window.

2. Save power by turning your devices off

The average household could be wasting thousands of hours of electricity every year by leaving devices on standby.

It’s easy to do. Many of us disconnect our phones but leave the charger plugged in. And some devices, such as TVs, don’t have an easily accessible on-off switch.

But leaving devices on standby uses up power – sometimes known as ‘vampire energy’ – and it can really add up. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust estimates you can save around £45 a year just by turning off standby mode on your appliances.

Which devices use the most electricity?

Examples of devices that could be sucking up energy while on standby include:

• TV Set-top/cable box

• Gaming devices

• Smart speakers

• Microwave

• Printer

• Laptop.

It’s worth knowing that a laptop typically uses less power than a desktop computer, too – if you have the choice.

3. Take control of your heating

Heating over the winter uses a huge amount of power, so think carefully about how warm your home really needs to be.

Some people feel the cold more than others and if you’re sitting still for long periods, you’ll likely feel chillier than someone who’s moving around.

The Energy Saving Trust recommends a home temperature of 18-22°C. Public Health Wales advises 18-23°C depending on the person’s vulnerability, the function of the room and the clothing being worn.

Only heat the rooms you use

Turn down radiators in rooms you’re not using. Don’t turn them off completely though, as this isn’t energy efficient and could cause mould and damp issues.

Adjust your thermostat

Another idea is to lower your thermostat by just one degree. If you find that okay, turn it down another degree after a day or two until you find the optimum temperature for you.

According to British Gas, you could save up to 10% on your energy bill with this small but mighty change.

Other ways to optimise your heating include considering draught proofing your windows and doors and bleeding radiators regularly.

4. Adjust your boiler flow settings

The flow temperature is the temperature your boiler heats water to before sending it out to the radiators.

When the water in the system cools to a prescribed level after giving out heat to the rooms (the return temperature), it returns to the boiler to be re-heated.

Condensing combi-boilers are most efficient at a flow temperature of 60°C or lower, but many are installed to have a flow temperature of between 70-80°C as standard.

Although lowering the flow temperature may not be appropriate for some poorly insulated or older homes, other households could reduce their gas use, costs and emissions significantly – without any loss of comfort around the home.

How can I reduce the flow temperature?

Flow temperature can be reduced by changing the controls on your combi-boiler.

The flow temperature control for heating typically has a radiator symbol; the hot water control has a picture of a tap (your boiler manual may have more detailed information on the specific dial details).

Nesta has an interactive guide to help you change your flow temperature.

What if my boiler isn’t a combi?

Heat-only or regular system boilers tend not to allow you to change the flow temperature separately from the thermostat.

Home heating advice service The Heating Hub recommends a minimum flow temperature of 70°C for these boilers. It’s advisable to consult a heating engineer to see if you can make any savings.

Will I feel the difference?

Your radiators won’t feel so hot to the touch and it may take your home a little longer to heat up initially, but your heating will reach your desired level more cost-efficiently.

5. Switch to low-energy lighting

Swapping to LED (light-emitting diode) or CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) lightbulbs can help save money on your bills.

LEDs are the most energy efficient – the Energy Saving Trust estimates you could save around £55 a year if you swapped all your bulbs for LEDs.

They also reach full brightness quicker than CFLs and are available for a wide range of light fittings. Not all bulbs are dimmable, so check before buying if that’s what you want.

Both LEDs and CFLs last much longer than old-fashioned filament bulbs, so although they cost a bit more to buy, they’re more cost-effective over time. Light output is now shown in lumens rather than watts. You’ll need about 1,200-1,300 Lm to replace an old 100-watt bulb.

• LEDs are good replacements for halogen downlighters and produce far less heat.

• CFLs can be good if your room has one single bulb that needs to be bright enough to light the whole space.

6. Opt for a shower, not a bath

If everyone in a three-bedroom, gas-heated home swapped one bath a week for a four-minute shower, it could save up to £45 a year on their energy bill. It might not sound like much, but it’s an excellent way to conserve water whilst keeping more money in your pocket.

Having trouble with time keeping? A shower timer will help you keep your showers short and efficient.

Save energy by upgrading your devices

Did you know that replacing your shower head with a more efficient model could save around £25 a year and over 9,000 litres of water?

And there are other low-cost devices you can buy to cut down on your water bills, including tap aerators and washing-up bowls. But one of the easiest ways to cut your water use is to turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or shaving.

7. Wash as much as possible at 30°C or lower

Today’s washing detergents are very effective even on a cold wash, so try to avoid washing laundry above 30 degrees. Wait until you have a full load too – that saves on water as well as energy.

Use an eco-wash setting if you can, as this will save on your bills in the long term. If not, opt for the shortest programme possible that will get your clothes clean.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by washing at 30°C and running one fewer load a week, the average UK household could save around £24 a year.

Do your washing at off-peak times

Many energy providers offer on and off-peak energy tariffs. Off-peak hours tend to be late in the evening or overnight, as that’s when people naturally use less energy. That’s also when energy is the cheapest.

So, if you have a load of washing ready to go, it’s worth waiting for an off-peak slot to lower your bills.

Be sure to check if your energy provider offers off-peak sessions and the start and finish times.

8. Reduce your tumble dryer usage

Tumble dryers use up a lot of energy, so try to avoid them as much as you can. If you do dry indoors, make sure the space is well ventilated to avoid the build-up of damp and condensation. Ideally, open the windows and shut the door.

When replacing a tumble dryer, check the energy rating – the better the rating, the less it’ll cost to run. On the other hand, you might decide to do without one.

The Energy Saving Trust reckons that you could save around £50 a year by skipping the tumble dryer entirely, though savings could be higher depending on the type of dryer you have.

9. Optimise your oven use

If you’re turning your oven on for one thing, see if you can use the rest of the space to batch cook something for a meal on another day. Get used to how long your oven takes to heat up so you’re ready to pop food in straight away without wasting heat.

Quick tip: Once you’ve switched the oven off, leave the door ajar so the remainder of the heat goes into your home rather than outside.

Microwaves are cheaper and more energy efficient than stoves at warming food or reheating leftovers. Meanwhile, slow cookers are an energy efficient way of cooking, and preparing food in larger batches helps to cut energy use, as well as time spent in the kitchen.

When you do cook on the stove, remember to use lids to cover your pots and pans to heat your food faster.

10. Take care of your fridge

A fridge freezer is one of the few appliances that you have to keep on all the time, so you’ll want to make sure it’s working as efficiently as possible.

Your fridge can struggle to function at full capacity if it gets dusty. Make sure to regularly clean the coils at the back to optimise its performance and keep it fire safe. Unplug and gently use a vacuum or brush.

Ideally, free-standing fridges should have around 5cm of space around the sides and back, and at least 2.5cm at the top to allow heat from the compressor to escape. Without it, your fridge will have to work harder.

Keep your fridge around two-thirds full as it has less air to cool that way. If it’s getting empty, consider adding a jug of water or two.

11. Use your kettle wisely

Use a kettle rather than boiling water for cooking in a pan. While it might seem logical to boil water in the same pan, it’s typically faster to heat water in a kettle and usually more efficient.

This is because the heat is transferred directly from the heating element to the water, compared to a pan on the stove where more heat is potentially lost to the pan and to the room.

Whether there’s a cost saving depends on the price you pay for your gas hob compared to your electricity.

Only boil what and when you need

When making a brew, don’t overfill – you could save around £10 a year in electricity.

You could also think about fitting a tap aerator. This reduces the amount of water that comes out without affecting how it rinses, and could save you £19 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

And it might sound silly, but try to remember that you’ve boiled the kettle. How many times have you boiled a kettle, then walked away and forgotten you’ve done it? By the time you remember you’re after a hot drink, the water will have cooled and you may need to boil the kettle all over again.

If you live in a hard water area, descale your kettle regularly, as this can affect its energy efficiency.

12. Think about the washing up

Don’t wash up under a running tap. Use a washing-up bowl and fill it up as needed for the level of washing up you have. If it’s just a few plates and cups, a third to a half of the bowl is all that’s needed.

Using a dishwasher can use less energy than doing the washing up by hand. Just make sure you fill it completely before you turn it on to make the most out of the energy it uses and choose an eco-cycle if you there is one.

13. Monitor your energy use

Energy companies tend to use local data to estimate how much gas and electricity you’re using.

While these are often close to reality, it’s impossible for them to be completely right every time. By checking your own meters every month, you’ll be able make sure you only pay for the energy you’re actually using.

If you don’t already have a smart meter, it might be worth asking your power company for one if they’re available in your area. These devices:

• Cut out the middle man, making sure you get an accurate reading throughout the year without having to check yourself

• Help you monitor your power use. You can test out your appliances by using one at a time and see which are the most energy-hungry so you can adapt your usage

• Let you see the impact of having appliances on standby.

14. Make long-term investments

If you’re not planning to move soon, it may be worth looking at more long-term energy-saving solutions.

Insulate your home to avoid wasting energy – double or triple glazing and insulating walls and lofts can reduce heat loss, making your home more energy efficient. Replacing your boiler if it’s getting old could be a good investment too.

Solar panels, ground source heat pumps or air source heat pumps could be cost effective for you in the long run and be good for the environment too.

And make sure you choose the most energy efficient models when replacing household appliances.

15. Take part in energy-saving sessions

Some providers offer energy-saving sessions. These are designed to reward you for using less energy during busy periods. Specific rewards vary but often include things like prizes and money off your bill.

Check if your energy provider runs these sessions. If not, it could be worth switching suppliers.

Don’t worry; we make switching super quick and easy. Use our simple comparison tool to get your quotes in seconds.

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