15 ways to be more energy efficient
Turn that carbon footprint into a green-glowing halo…
1 Use energy saving light bulbs. Just one can save you £100 over the lifetime of the bulb – and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.
2 Reuse and recycle as much as possible. Paper, tin cans, plastic bags and bottles and glass can all be recycled.
3 Try and keep your freezer packed full to at least three quarters of its capacity. Use scrunched up paper or loaves of sliced bread to reduce air flow and conserve energy.
4 Don’t leave appliances such as computers and TVs on standby overnight – turn them off!
5 If plugged in, chargers (for mobile phones, cameras, batteries, etc) continue to use energy even when they are fully charged – unplug them once they have finished charging.
6 Unless you are using the half-load or economy programme, always fill up your dishwasher and washing machine.
7 Turning down your thermostat and lowering the house temperature by just 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%, saving you around £40 per year.
8 Tumble driers are known to be energy hungry. To save fuel, hang clothes outside to dry in the summer and on radiators or a clothes airer during the winter.
9 Check the door seals. Gaskets on your refrigerator and oven door can deteriorate over time. Gaskets that do not seal properly can waste a lot of energy. To check the gasket, place a piece of paper between the door and the refrigerator or oven as you close it. If you can move the paper freely from the door, it is not sealed tightly and you need to have it replaced.
10 Wash all your clothes at the lowest possible temperature, as most of the energy is used to heat the water.
11 Swich your energy supplier to a green company – remember to shop around for competitive prices.
12 Only boil as much water as you need (but cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle).
13 A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and water, so fix leaking taps and make sure they’re fully turned off!
14 Have a shower instead of a bath and use two thirds less water and energy.
15 Walk or cycle if you can and you’ll trim inches off your waistline and save the environment in one fell swoop!
Sarah says… ‘Keeping your home draught free really is a no brainer – it’s cheap as chips to fit and massively effective in keeping the heat that you make where you want it.’
Pictures: getty images