Saving Energy at Home

See if you can save energy around your home.

Saving energy around the house is not as difficult as you may think and it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your favourite electrical appliances or style of life.

Here is a helpful checklist to show how you could start being more energy efficient:
 
Kitchen & Laundry
 
» Washing Machine - Wash full loads rather than just a few items. When possible use a setting of 40C. By doing this you can use 1/3 less electricity.
 
» Dish Washer - Fill the dish washer before using. Use the economy setting if you have that option. In some dishwashers this can be more efficient than washing by hand.
 
» Kettle - Don't boil a full kettle every time, only boil the amount you need.
 
» Oven - Try not to open the oven door while cooking if possible. Heat lost by opening the door causes the oven to use more energy.
 
» Hob - Avoid using oversized pots and use a lid where you can. Stacked steamers are a great of harnessing the power of one hob to cook more than one item.
 
» Fridges & Freezers - Defrost these appliances regularly, this helps them to run more efficiently. Bare in mind that some fridges and freezers self defrost. Check your manual if your not sure.
 
Bath Room
 
» Wash Basin - Don't leave taps running, use the plug and keep the water in the basin.
 
» Shower/Bath - Use the shower rather than the bath, it uses a considerably less energy.
 
» Hot Water Tanks - If you have a hot water tank check that it is well insulated.
 
Living Areas & Bedrooms
 
» Central heating - By turning down thermostat by 1°C you can save up to 10% on your energy bill. Please take this advice sensibly and do not compromise health and general well being, especially for the old or vulnerable
 
» Timing Switch - By having a timer switch you can set you heating to turn on and off to match your daily routine. This helps to avoid forgetting to turn the heating down or off when leaving the house.
 
» Windows - Double glazed windows help prevent heat escaping and saves on energy bills. By closing the curtains at nightfall you help shield the windows from loosing additional heat.
 
» Radiators - Heat reflectors behind radiators helps direct heat toward the inside of your home.
 
» Doors - Sealing draughty doors helps to prevent heat escaping. There are numerous devices for sealing draughty doors in DIY stores.
 
» Energy Saving Light Bulbs - The bulbs are usually more expensive than regular light bulbs, but they last longer and they save you money in the long term.
 
» General Appliances - Before you go to bed Turn off the power to appliances such as TV's, Stereo's, DVD players and any other items that do not need to stay on. These appliances can consume considerable amounts of energy while on standby.


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