Smarter Energy Hints and Tips

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Smarter Energy Hints and Tips


We can save on our energy bills and help the environment by making small changes. With these tips we show you how to manage your electricity and gas more effectively

 Visit the Energy Saving Trust website

Cooking Tips

  • Use pans that can divide into sections so you can cook several items at once.
  • Cook food in big batches then refrigerate or freeze your leftovers. Reheat your food in the microwave.
  • Try to keep opening of the oven door to a minimum while cooking and remove extra shelves or tins that absorb heat which should be used for cooking.

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. Check for gaps in door seals that could let warm air in.
  • When buying a new fridge or freezer, check the energy label and buy the most energy efficient appliance possible. It will cost less to run.

Bathroom Tips

  • Showers tend to use less hot water and energy than baths.
  • Use a low flow shower head. This saves both water and the energy used to heat it.
  • Lag your hot water pipes where you can and put an insulating jacket on your hot water cylinder if suitable.

Laundry Tips

  • Run your washing machine full load and wash your clothes at 30°C whenever possible.
  • Weather permitting, dry your clothes on the line or use a clothes drying rack. If you have to use the dryer, its helpful to fast spin clothes first to reduce the drying time.
  • Plan your ironing, so you start with clothes that use a lower temperature and end with clothes that need a higher temperature.

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.
  • Use low wattage bulbs in hallway areas. Replace 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. To book your next gas boiler service click here.

Tips for heating your home

  • Turning your heating thermostat down by 1° C can save you 10% on your heating energy use. Room thermostats should be set between 18° and 21° C.
  • Use time clocks and automated controls to keep your home comfortable and have the heating on only when needed.
  • Turn the heating off 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.

Home Upgrade

  • Ensure your house is well insulated with double or triple glazing, attic and external wall insulation and reduce air loss by fitting draft stripping to doors, windows and radiator pipe work entry and exit areas. A well-insulated house will reduce heat loss and your energy bills. Often the least expensive and most effective home upgrade to be made is insulating your roof.