Energy Saving Tips

There are a lot of ways that people can take steps to reduce energy bills. Some of these steps are small changes, like switching off unused appliances, whilst others are bigger changes like improving your house insulation. 

Whatever steps you decide to take, it’s about doing what’s right and manageable for you.

Turn lights off
Turn lights off when you’re not using a room, but only if you’re not risking your safety by doing so.

Choose LED lightbulbs when possible
LED lightbulbs use less energy than traditional lightbulbs.

Choose appliances with good energy ratings
If you’re getting any new appliances, choose appliances with a good energy rating and one that’s the right size for you.

Switch off appliances when they’re not in use
Switch appliances off when they’re not in use rather than leaving them on standby. But don’t turn off your fridge or freezer because this could mean your food goes off sooner.

Draught Proofing
Install draught proofing like draught-proofing strips and draught excluders around doors, seal gaps around window frames and add covers to letterboxes and keyholes. Leave some ventilation to reduce condensation and prevent the build up of waste gases from fuel-burning appliances.

Defrost your freezer every 6 months
Defrosting your freezer can make it run more efficiently.

Take showers instead of baths
A short shower can use 1/3 of the amount of water needed for a bath. However, if it’s easier for you to take baths, consider not filling the tub all the way.

Fix dripping taps
A dripping or leaking tap can waste water and it’ll cost you extra if you use a water meter.

Be mindful of water usage
Be mindful of your water usage when brushing your teeth, shaving, and gardening. Try to only boil the amount of water you need when making hot drinks or cooking.

Turn down radiators in rooms you don’t use
Turn down the radiators in rooms you don’t use, like spare bedrooms, and close the doors to stop heat escaping from the rooms where the radiators are switched on.

Understand your heating controls
Check your heating controls, such as thermostats and timers to understand how they work. This will help you heat your home comfortably without wasting energy.

Use your tumble drier sparingly
Your tumble drier can use a lot of energy so use it sparingly where possible.

Run machines at lower temperatures
Run the washing machine and dishwasher at a lower temperature. Washing clothes at 30°C uses around 40% less electricity over a year than washing at higher temperatures.

Keep radiators and heaters clear
Keep radiators and heaters clear of clothes, furniture and curtains where possible.

Bleed radiators
If your radiators are hot at the bottom but cold at the top, they probably need bleeding as air may have become trapped inside your radiator leading to cold spots. Find out more about how to bleed your radiators on the British Gas website

Install double glazing
Double-glazing stops heat from escaping, as well as minimising noise from the outside.

Insulate roof and loft spaces
Insulating roof and loft spaces can significantly reduce heat loss in your home and save you hundreds of pounds per year. Most homes have some loft insulation but often not enough.

Insulate cavity walls
If your home has cavity walls – a space between the inner and outer layers of brick – they can be insulated. Insulating your cavity walls will make your home feel warmer.

Insulate hot water tanks
Insulating hot water tanks and pipes keeps them warm, which means you can cut down on the amount you’d spend on heating water otherwise.