Smarter Energy

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Smarter Energy Hints and Tips

For a Greener World

Smarter Energy: Energy saving tips to help reduce
your energy use


Small steps make a big difference, like choosing SSE Airtricity for cleaner, renewable energy† . Here are more small changes that can make a big difference to your CO₂ emissions and your energy bills. A great saving for you. A great saving for the environment.

This is Generation Green.

Kitchen Tips

  • Don’t boil full kettles for one cup of tea, but make sure you have enough water to cover the element.
  • Cook big batches of food at a time, refrigerate any leftovers and use the microwave for reheating food.
  • Always use the right size of pot or pan for your cooking ring and have a lid on the vessel.

Refrigerator Tips

  • Defrost your fridge or freezer regularly. Ice should never be more than a quarter of an inch (6mm) thick around the ice box.
  • Let hot food cool down before storing it in the fridge or freezer so the hot food item doesn’t bring unwanted heat into the fridge or freezer.
  • Don’t leave the fridge door open for long while getting food. For every 10–20 seconds the door is open, it takes 45 minutes for the fridge to cool down to its original temperature.

Bathroom Tips

  • Showers generally use 20% less energy than baths.
  • Set your hot water thermostat to 60-65˚C.
  • Lag your hot water pipes where you can and if your hot water cylinder is poorly insulated fit an insulating jacket. 

Laundry Tips

  • Run your washing machine full load whenever possible.
  • If you can, use cold water washing powder and the cold water setting on your washing machines.
  • Tumble dryers are big energy guzzlers, so dry clothes on a clothes horse or washing line.

Lighting Tips

  • Always turn the lights off when you leave the room even if it’s only for a few minutes.
  • Position your furniture so you make the most of natural light i.e. if you work from home position your desk near the window. Use daylight instead of switching on lights until you need to.
  • Replace failed incandescent lamps with energy-efficient compact fluorescents and LED lighting.
  • Use timers or motion sensors on outdoor security lighting so they run only when required.

Electronics Tips

  • In general, for the same size screen and from the same manufacturer the most energy-efficient HD TV’s are LED type followed by LCD and then Plasma.
  • Use a home energy monitoring device to help you monitor and manage your energy consumption.
  • Switch off your appliances at night time and at times when they are not in use for more than an hour.

Energy Efficiency Tips

  • Energy efficiency labels give each appliance an energy-efficient rating on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Before you buy a new appliance, check its rating.
  • Get your gas boiler serviced annually, not only will it be safer, but your boiler will be more reliable and run more efficiently. The SSE Airtricity Home Services team offer boiler services with a 19-point safety check. Engineers are insured and RGII registered. To book your next gas boiler service click here.

Heating System Tips

  • Turning your heating thermostat down by 1˚C to 20 ˚C. In halls and bedrooms ideally, thermostats should be set between 15˚ and 18˚C.
  • Use time clocks and automated controls to ensure the heating systems are only on when needed.
  • Ideally turned on 30 minutes before you need it and turned off 30 minutes before you no longer need it. With central heating systems use zone controls where necessary and fit thermostatic radiator valves to all radiators to turn off or down in rooms that are not used a lot

Generation Green Home Upgrade

  • Ensure your house is well insulated with double or triple glazing, loft and external wall insulation and reduce air loss by fitting draft stripping to doors, windows and radiator pipe work entry and exit areas.^
  • The SSE Airtricity Home Services team have a simple solution for your dream green home. From insulation, to heat pumps to new windows and doors, they’ll even help with SEAI grants. To learn more visit our Generation Green Home Upgrade hub here. 
^courtesy of seai.ie. For more information download our Energy Saving Tips Booklet or visit seai.ie/home-energy/energy-saving-tips/ or seai.ie/home-energy/home-upgrades/
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