Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Electricity and Gas Usage
By Graham Self
There are generally two reasons to be more energy efficient and reduce the amount of gas and electricity that you use. Save money on your electricity and gas bills or save the planet by producing less CO2. There are a number of simple changes that you can make to save on the amount of gas and electricity that you use:
10 easy ways of being energy efficient
- Lower your central heating thermostat by 1 degree
- Turn off radiators in rooms that you don't use
- Only heat your property when you are at home
- Change your light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs
- Turn off devices such as televisions at the wall rather than using standby
- Wash your clothes at 30 degrees
- Turn off lights when not in the room
- Only fill your kettle with enough water for the drinks that you are making
- Draft proof doors and windows
- Reduce the use of your tumble dryer and use tumble dryer balls to reduce drying time
Most of the energy saving tips above can be implemented without much cost and without making substantial changes to the way that you live your life. However, for those that want to make even greater reductions in the amount of gas and electricity that they use, there are other more advanced energy saving tips.
More advanced ways of being energy efficient
- Switch to a green electricity tariff
- Install wall insulation
- Install loft insulation
- Install floor insulation
- Install double glazing
- Fit a hot water tank jacket
- Insulate your main pipe work
- Replace appliances with Energy Saving Recommended products
- Generate your own electricity
While some of the energy saving changes are quick, easy and free to implement, some do cost money, such as installing insulation and replacing appliances.
For insulation, there are a number of energy efficiency grants that are available. For more information on the grants that are available, visit the Energy Saving Trust site.
