With energy prices going up, it is more important than ever to do what we can to save our energy consumption!
Here are our 10 home energy saving tips to help you and your family save on the bills and help the planet.
Tip 1. Check Your Insulation and Draught -Proof
The UK has some of the most leaky housing in Europe. Is your loft well insulated? Check the thickness – it’s usually fairly easy to top it up, and doing so will save £’s on your fuel bills once the winter comes. Likewise take a look at how you can draught-proof your home.
Note. If you are planning to refurbish your property to make it more energy efficient or are building a new home then CLPM can advise you on how best to insulate your home- click here to find out more.
Tip 2. Review Your Heating Arrangements
Autumn is a great time to review your heating arrangements. With the winter approaching, its a good time to have your boiler serviced, and get your heating system organised?
Questions to consider are:
Do you have a way of controlling the temperature of each room?
Check the times your boiler switches on and off?
Many of the UK’s homes have old heating systems which are inefficient and costly to run. Now could be the time to think about upgrading or updating your system in time for the colder weather. Don’t wait until winter!
Note CLPM also offer independent heating system advice and can help you choose the correct system for your needs – click here for more information.
Tip 3. Check your hot water system. Aim to shower Better and Faster!
If everyone in your family spent 3 minutes less in the shower every day you could save £20 per year per person on your energy bills – even more if you swapped to a water-efficient showerhead. Consider a hanging a clock in the bathroom to help!
Review your system and controls, ask yourself:
Do you have enough hot water for your family’s needs?
What is the temperature of your hot water – can you reduce it slightly?
Tip 4. Upgrade Your Lighting
Most light fittings can use the new-style bulbs. Exchange your old, inefficient halogen lamps with LEDs and low energy bulbs. With more of us working from home it’s a good time to check that everyone understands the importance of switching the light off when they leave the room too!
Tip 5. Consider the way you Cook
Kettles and ovens are very energy-hungry, and with more of your family working or spending more leisure time at home it probably means that your cooking-related energy bills are increasing. Make sure everyone collaborates with each other. Fill the kettle to the correct level every time, coordinate the oven cooking of meals or snacks to minimise the energy used.
Tip 6. Change your habits.
Lights!
While it has been easy to leave lights on, or keep a number of lights on timers.
It is sensible to switch off lights when you leave the room.
Timers are probably part of your security system, but maybe reduce the number you have. Do you need one in each room. Check what lighting you can see from the road – one downstairs might suffice.
Dirty Dishes!
Yes, it is easier to put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher – but perhaps try rinsing the plates first!
Or, keep a washing up bowl of water on the go – and sort those dishes out as you go. Then you can reuse the water in the garden.
Bath or Shower!
While it may be luxurious to spend hours in the bath, or do forget how long you have been in the shower?
Either way, using less water is a money saver!
Tip 7. Organise Your Laundry
Likewise, now’s the time to make sure you’re washing and drying your family’s clothes efficiently. Most clothes aren’t truly dirty. They just need a quick refresh. So make sure the machine is always full when it is put on and that everyone uses short programmes at low temperatures. If you only wash a load or so a day, the washing can be left to dry outside – line drying is free, is better for your clothes and helps the environment too. Make the most of the autumn sunshine.
Tip 8. Think More about Chargers
Are there always phones and laptops on and charging everywhere in your house? Constantly charging them is bad for their batteries and is a waste of energy. Unplug all chargers when not in use – especially any that have displays or lights. Unplug all electrical items once they reach 100%. Don’t leave them charging overnight.
Tip 9. Say No to Standby
Turn off tablets, laptops and consoles as soon as you stop using them, and ideally unplug them. If you can switch off your TV and router too. Vampire appliances – named as these are the ones that stay on all night on stand by – still use power when they are on overnight and unused. Ask yourself, do you really need these on?
Tip 10. Reach for a Sweater
Sometimes we’re too quick to resort to technology to sort out our problems – especially when it comes to heating and ventilation systems.
Now’s a good time to remind everyone that if they’re too cold, go back to basics and add another layer.
We do hope you’ve found our Top 10 Home Energy Saving Tips useful. Our Energy and energy consultants can visit your home and advise you on ways you can save energy. For more details.
If you are planning to make your home more energy efficient or overhaul your heating system and are interested in some independent expert advice then do get in touch. Call 01923 896550, email info@cl-m.com or complete a contact form.
