Save energy around your home

The following tips will help you to reduce your energy consumption around your home – saving money for you and helping to protect our environment.

Kitchen/laundry

Cook several dishes in one session – you can use a tiered steamer when cooking on the hob, and all the shelves when using the oven.
Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily - every time you do, the temperature drops by around 15C (59F). Never put warm or hot food straight into the fridge or freezer.
Boil the right amount for every cup of tea, rather than filling the kettle.
Avoid accumulating gadgets unnecessarily - even hand-operated ones – as around six million kitchen appliances a year end up in landfill sites.
Use your washing machine at cooler settings - a 40C wash uses a third less electricity than a 60C load – and always put in a full load.
Sort your laundry before ironing so that you iron delicates on a low setting first, working your way through to fabrics such as linen, which need the highest setting, such as linen.
Choose the right size pan and use lids that retain heat and reduce condensation. When cooking with gas, adjust the flame to fit the diameter of the pan to avoid heat wastage.
Run your dishwasher on its economy setting with a full load - it can use less water than washing dishes by hand.
Regular defrosting keeps fridges and freezers running well and cuts running costs.
Don't site fridges/freezers next to cooker or boilers.

Have a shower instead of a bath – it uses far less energy.
Put the plug in when washing your hands and never leave taps running.
Fix leaky taps – don’t waste precious water.
Insulate your hot water cylinder. An insulating jacket only costs a few pounds and could save you around £10 per year.

Turning down room thermostats by 1°C could save 10% on your fuel bill! (remember to be sensible - don't risk the health of the old or vulnerable).
Fit a timer programmer so you can pre-set your heating and water to come on and go off to suit your needs.
Place heat reflectors behind radiators attached to outside walls to reduce the amount of heat lost to the outside. You can buy special radiator foil for this, but tin foil will do nearly as well. Make sure the shiny side faces the radiator.
Close curtains at dusk to prevent heat escaping through windows - especially if your home is not double-glazed.
Don't let your curtains drape in front of radiators.
Only use electrical appliances when you really need them. Don't leave TV's or videos on standby - the appliances are still using electricity.
Seal up any drafts in doors and windows using draft excluders.
Stop unwanted draughts through the letterbox by fitting a nylon brush seal or spring flap.
Use low energy light bulbs. They last longer and save you money.

This page was last updated on 28 November 2007