Don’t throw money down the drain! Making a few small changes to your everyday routine soon adds up. Don’t waste energy and you can shave money off your bills.
In the bathroom…
- Use less water by taking a shower instead of a bath (but only if you don’t spend 20 minutes under a power shower!).
- Switch off the tap while you brush your teeth – and make sure the kids do, too.
In the kitchen…
- Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need, not all the way to the top.
- Wait until you have a full load before turning on your washing machine or dishwasher.
- Tumble dryers eat up electricity – dry washing outside instead or use an indoor airer.
When you’re cooking…
- Wash veg in a bowl instead of under a running tap – and save the water to water your plants.
- Put the lid on when boiling water in a pan – it will reach boiling point much more quickly.
- Cooking two different veg? Stack a steamer (or improvise with a colander) over a pan and you can cook both at once using one hob.
- Use the microwave instead of the hob or oven where possible – your food will cook more quickly and use less energy as a result.
Around the house…
- Buy LED light bulbs – they cost more but will save you money in the long run as they only use 10% of the energy of traditional light bulbs. And turn off lights in empty rooms.
- Turn down your heating by one degree – it might not sound much, but the savings will add up in the long run. Chances are no one will notice the difference either!
- Bleed radiators to release any internal air. Put a towel under the valve and twist. Once the valve stops hissing and water starts leaking out, quickly tighten up the valve again.
- Make sure your hot water tank and loft are insulated or you could be paying for heat that’s simply being wasted.
- Draughts aren’t just annoying – they also allow heat to escape. Keep cosy by using draught excluders under doors. You can also use draught-proofing strips around window frames and, where practical, seal loft hatches and pipework leading outside.
In the garden…
- Avoid using a hose – water plants with a watering-can and wash the car with a mop and bucket.
At night…
- Don’t leave appliances on stand-by – turn them off.
- Unplug chargers for phones and other gadgets when not in use (if they feel warm, it means they’re still using energy).
When you’ve got 5 minutes…
- Find out if you could save money by switching your energy company – you can compare energy suppliers using an online comparison site.
- Make sure you regularly provide meter readings to your energy suppliers – otherwise they will estimate your usage and you could be paying too much.