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Environment and greener living
Top tips on saving energy
Energy used in homes is responsible for over a quarter of all UK emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change. Making your home as energy efficient as possible will reduce carbon emissions and could also save you over £300 a year on your fuel bills.
The wider issue
Most of the energy we use in our homes is produced using processes that release CO2 emissions into the air.
CO2 emissions are the most significant cause of climate change, so saving energy at home is one of the most important things you can do to fight climate change.
Financial support to make homes energy efficient
Financial support is available to help you make your home more energy efficient through the Home Energy Savings Programme.
In addition, if you're a landlord and make energy saving improvements to your property, you could claim the Landlord's Energy Savings Allowance and lower your tax bill. Check the links below for more information.
Insulate your home
Nearly half of the heat in a typical home is lost through the walls and roof. Most UK homes don't have the recommended amount of insulation, so think about insulating both your loft and your cavity walls.
Turn appliances off standby
The average household wastes £30 a year simply by leaving appliances on standby. Remember:
- you can't switch most electronic goods off just with the remote control
- to turn off an appliance completely, use the power switch on the appliance itself or turn it off at the plug
- if a charger or power pack is warm or has a light on, it's probably using power
Buy energy efficient appliances
A 20 watt bulb can save £60 over its lifetime compared to a standard 100 watt bulb
Energy efficient appliances are easy to find and aren’t necessarily more expensive. Look out for appliances that carry the labels below to save money and energy:
Energy Saving Recommended label
Appliances showing the Energy Saving Recommended label are among the top 20 per cent most efficient available.
European Union energy label
EU energy labels on fridges, freezers and washing machines show how energy efficient an appliance is on a scale of A to G. A is most efficient and G is least efficient.
Make your heating more efficient
If every household in the country installed a high-efficiency boiler, the energy saved would be enough to provide heating and power for almost two million homes:
- you can reduce the energy your existing boiler consumes by up to 40 per cent with an efficient thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves
- replacing a 10 year old boiler with an efficient new one could reduce your energy consumption by a third
Simple energy saving tips
Turn your central heating down by one degree to save 10 per cent
There are many simple ways to save energy in the home.
In the kitchen
- boil a kettle with only as much water as you need
- cover pots and pans when cooking – they will boil a lot quicker
- defrost your freezer regularly and avoid putting hot food in the freezer
- there's emerging research that using a microwave rather than a conventional oven to heat up a small amount of food may save you energy
Washing clothes
- washing clothes at 30 degrees can be just as effective for a normally soiled load
- run your washing machine or dishwasher with full loads
- avoid tumble drying – dry clothes outdoors or on indoor dryers when possible to save money and energy
Heating and hot water
- turning your central heating down by one degree could cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent
- turn down your immersion heater temperature by one degree – you'll save energy and you're unlikely to notice the difference
Lighting
- use energy efficient light bulbs – if every UK home installed three of them, it would save enough energy to power all the UK's street lights
- try to remember to switch the lights off every time you leave a room
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