15 Ways to Save Energy

Where to begin

To quote government figures: typically heating and hot water accounts for 84% of the average domestic energy bill, lighting is 3%.

Heating & Hot Water

1. Don't waste heat when it is not required: program your heating to come on 30 minutes before you get up and 30 minutes before you come home. And here's a small but important check - is the clock on your central heating programmer showing the right time?

2. 8.6 million households in the UK do not have a room thermostat. Fitting one is relatively easy, and can save you more than £55 a year.

3. Turn your room thermostat down 1°C. Chances are you will not notice a difference, but you will be saving around £30 on your annual heating bill.

4. Make sure your radiators are not obstructed by curtains or furniture. If they are your valuable heat could be going straight out of the window. 

5. Draw your curtains at dusk to keep in the heat.

6. Fit thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to your radiators. These can significantly reduce your heating bills. For example if you have a little used room - like a spare bedroom - you could keep it at a lower temperature than your living room.

7. Installing a hot water cylinder thermostat can save you £20 a year. And set the cylinder stat to 60°C, any hotter and you are wasting energy.

Lighting

8. Always turn lights off when you leave a room. And use energy saving bulbs. They may cost a little more to buy but they last 10 times longer, and could save you £55 over the lifetime of the bulb.

Around the Home

9. Did you know that keeping your electrical appliances, games consoles and computers, etc., on stand-by could be costing you in the region of £40 per year? If your chargers and power-packs are warm to the touch or have a light on, this is a sure sign that they are using energy.

10. Here's a simple one - when you have cooked in your oven, turn the oven off but leave the oven door open. This will warm your kitchen with heat you would normally discard. Careful if there are young children around though! And…..

11. ….. whilst we are in the kitchen, make sure the size of pan is the same size as the cooker ring. This will prevent substantial heat loss.

12. Fancy a cup of tea? Only boil as much water as you need (but if you are using an electric kettle please make certain you cover the heating element).

13. Make sure you central heating is in good working order, and that your boiler serviced annually. Not only will this make sure that you and your family are kept warm during the winter, but it will also ensure that the boiler is running efficiently.

14. Heat rises, so make sure your loft is well insulated. Check if you are eligible for a loft insulation grant. It could save you £120 but cost you very little.

And the Last Tip

15. Technology never stands still, so keep coming back to the Sangamo site to discover new products that will help you keep control of your energy costs.