Saving energy at home

Here's some general guidance on things you can try to reduce energy usage in your home.

Cooking can account for 20%+ of total energy use. Try to use alternatives to oven and hob cooking. A decent slow cooker costs just £15
Batch cooking can make a big impact without having to buy new appliances
You can use lower oven temps with glass and ceramic dishes because they retain more heat
Try to use Slow cookers, microwaves and air fryers to save energy when cooking.

Turn down your thermostat. Every 1 degree down saves 7% on your total bill, £175 per year on average. Heat for less time and heat less rooms (e.g. by switching off the radiators in unused rooms) if you can.
Use the thermostat and the radiator valves to control the temperate in each room. Try using a thermometer to check you’ve got the settings just right
You should aim for 18c in the living areas and 16c in the bedrooms. (Remember, below 16c in a room can pose a risk to health).
In the day it is important to try to use as much natural - and free - heat (in the form of sunlight) as possible. But when dusk falls, closing your curtains will help your home retain that heat. This helps keep warmth in the room – but try not to drape them over radiators.

Energy efficient appliances like fridges and TVs save a lot, but are a big outlay.
Turn appliances off at the plug to save an average of £55 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.
Traditional bulbs are extremely inefficient. Modern LEDs are the opposite and also last longer so are less wasteful too. Smart LED bulbs like Hive Lights can help you save even more energy as you can switch them on and off remotely.
Turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £20 a year on your annual energy bills.
Instead of over-charging your phone, laptop, as soon as your device is fully charged, try and get into the habit of unplugging it. Not only will this save energy, it also prolongs battery life.

Saving water and saving energy go hand in hand – tap aerators and low flow shower heads are often free from your water company and will reduce hot water use.
Only run your dishwasher when it is full.
Keeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £70 a year. Buying a more efficient shower head can also save on energy bills, especially if you have a water meter
Swapping just one bath a week with a 4-minute shower could save you £12 a year on your energy bills.

Stored hot water should be set at 65C to prevent legionella
If you have a combi boiler at home - you don't have a hot water cylinder and there is a (usually white) plastic pipe under the boiler - you may wish to consider turning down the heating flow temperature.
On the front - sometimes behind a flap - look for a dial or set of buttons with a radiator icon.
You may also want to turn off the hot water pre-heat. Many boilers come on every few hours - night and day - to ensure there's always some hot water available. Most homes don't need this, and turning it off saves money.

Do full laundry load - Half-load settings save very little energy, so a full load is much more energy efficient. Do fewer (but fuller) washing loads instead.
Use the eco setting - On your dishwasher or boiler, an eco setting heats water more slowly, using less energy. You get the same results; it just takes a little longer.
Turn down the temperature - Washing at 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees can help reduce your energy usage.
Avoid the tumble dryer - Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes: dry clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather to save money.

Keep the blinds closed - During the day, close curtains or blinds especially on windows facing the sun to block out heat
Drink plenty of water - Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of cold water throughout the day. This will help your body stay cool
Dress lightly - Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, preferably made from natural materials like cotton, to help your body stay cool
Use cool bedding - Consider swapping to cotton sheets and removing heavy duvets. A thin cotton sheet can also be used as a light cover
Cool your wrists - Run your wrists under cold water for a few seconds each hour. This can help cool your whole body
Avoid heavy meals - Eating heavy meals can make your body work harder and generate more heat. Opt for lighter meals like salads or fruit
Turn off unnecessary appliances - Appliances generate heat when they're in use. If un-needed, switch them off to keep your home cooler
Create a draft - Open windows on the opposite sides of your home for a few hours in the early morning or late evening when it's cooler to create a nice breeze
Use a cool flannel - A damp flannel on your forehead or the back of your neck can provide instant relief from the heat
Avoid using the oven - Cooking can increase the temperature of your home. On hot days, opt for meals that don't require cooking
Take a cool shower or bath - Taking a cool shower or bath can help lower your body temperature.