Prepare your home for the winter months ahead by following some or all of these top seven tips to save energy in your home.
1. Have your boiler serviced
It's one of those household items that just sits there and does its thing - until suddenly it doesn't, which could cause you all sorts of problems during the winter.
More than half of your yearly energy costs are generated by your boiler so even if it is working normally, it might not be as efficient as it could be. A full service will identify any issues, but your service engineer could also help you assess the correct flow to maximise efficiency and potentially save money.
2. Turn your thermostat down by one degree
Try turning the temperature down by one degree. Wait for a day and see how it feels. If you’re still feeling OK, turn it down another degree, and wait and see. And so on. As soon as you start to feel a bit too cold, turn it back up by one degree. Make a note of the setting – this is the best temperature setting for you and your household. For most, this will be between 18C and 21C although older people may need it a little higher.
3. Insulate your loft and block out draughts
Poorly insulated roof spaces can result in a quarter of the heat generated in your home disappearing through the roof. Check the depth of your insulation and consider updating if necessary. We have more great tips on how to retain the heat in your home as well as reducing draughts in our blog here.
4. Change your lightbulbs
Switching to more efficient LED bulbs can substantially reduce the amount spent on lighting each year. The Energy Saving Trust claim that swapping an older 100 watt incandescent bulb to an LED could save £15 per bulb per year and a 60 watt bulb changed to LED would save £7 per bulb. It doesn't sound much on its own but savings will soon mount up.
5. Swap your shower head
A modern water-efficient shower head could reduce your water and energy consumption up to £70 per year. If yours is showing signs of wear and limescale, you may be wasting water in order to get the flow that you need. A new shower head easily pay for itself within a year. Incidentally, if you spend a minute less in the shower you could save another £80 per year.
6. Don't heat an empty room
If you are not using some rooms, like a guest bedroom or storage room, turn the heating off and keep the door closed. This can dramatically reduce your energy bills and can quickly be heated up again when you need them.
7. Avoid the tumble dryer
Yes they're great but they can cost over £300 per year to run if you use them twice a week. Compare that to an electric heated clothes airer which can range from £70 - £100 per year depending on the wattage.