A good way to save money and reduce your energy bills is to take steps to make your home more energy efficient.
Not only will it cut costs but it will help the environment too.
Little things such as turning your thermostat down or switching to the new energy saving light bulbs can help, while insulation and replacement boilers will save you a small fortune — and you may qualify for a grant or discounts to help with the cost.
Tips for making your home more energy efficient
- Keep the heat in. A third of cost of heating your home is lost through the walls, so insulating them is the best way to save energy in the home. Installing cavity wall insulation can save you up to £160 per year on your heating bills.
- Look up. Laying your loft with 10 inches/25 centimetres of insulation can save you a quarter of your home’s heating costs.
- See the light. Replacing just one old light bulb with an energy saving recommended one can reduce lighting costs by up to £78 over the lifetime of the bulb. Plus they last up to 12 times longer than the ordinary light bulbs.
- Say goodbye to the old boiler. If yours is over 15 years old consider switching to a new energy efficient one. High efficiency condensing boilers can save up to a third of your annual heating bills, and there are grants available to help cover the cost.
- Get on down. Turning your thermostat down by 1˚C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent and save you around £100 a year.
- Don’t get in hot water. Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn’t need to be set any higher than 60ºC/140ºF.
- Turn it off. Don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily. It all adds up and wastes money.
- Wash wisely. Remember to use the half-load or economy programmes if you’re not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher.
- Care for your kettle. Only boil as much water as you need — but remember to cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle.
- Mend the drips. A dripping hot water tap can waste enough hot water to fill half a bath in just one week, so fix leaking taps and make sure they’re all fully turned off.
