Energy Saving Tips
The energy we use to heat, light and power our
homes contributes over a quarter of the UK’s
carbon emissions, the principle contributor to
climate change.
Around half the energy used in the home
is for heating and hot water, so using your
heating system efficiently will not only help the
environment, but also save you money.
Energy efficiency tips for heating and hot
water
1. Don’t set the temperature to high...
Reducing the thermostat setting by just 1°C
can reduce your energy use by as much as
10%. If you’re going away during the winter,
leave the thermostat on the frost protection
setting to provide protection from freezing at
minimum cost.
2. Use it where you need it...
Set the appropriate temperature on your
heaters for the room they are in; for example,
leave the thermostat on a heater in a spare
bedroom on a lower setting.
3. Use it when you need it...
Use heaters fitted with timers or linked to
central controllers to turn the heating on only
when you need it and automatically switch it
off when you don’t.
4. Curtains
Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat
escaping through the windows.
5. Windows
Nearly 25% of heat loss can occur through
poorly insulated frames and single glazing.
If you can’t afford to double glaze all your
windows, go for the rooms you heat most.
6. Treat your hot water tank...
give it a jacket An insulating jacket for hot
water tanks costs only a few pounds and pays
for itself within months. Fit one that’s at least
75mm (3”) thick and you could save £10-15 a
year.
7. Water
Use a shower if you have one to save time,
money and water. Don’t set the thermostat
too high on your water heater - 60°C/ 140°F
is usually adequate for bathing and washing.
Put the plug in when running hot water in
your sink - leaving hot taps running is both
wasteful and expensive. Ensure dripping taps
are repaired quickly. In just one day, you could
waste enough water to fill a bath.
Other energy saving tips for around the
home
1. Lights
Turn off lights whenever you leave a
room for more than ten minutes. Use low-
energy bulbs wherever you can as they use
less than a quarter of the electricity used
by ordinary light bulbs and last ten
times longer!
2. Cooking
Use the right size pan for food and cooker
hob. Keep saucepan lids on - this enables you
turn down the heat. Boil water for cooking in
a kettle first.
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