Modern homes are filled with technology that will automatically switch to standby mode. This doesn’t mean they’re off, it’s just quicker to switch on again, but they are still using energy. But turning computer monitors and TVs completely off when you’re not using them could save you as much as £30 a year.

Your kitchen is filled with simple ways to save. For example, if you use a washing up bowl instead of running the hot tap, you could save as much as £25 a year, according to the Energy Savings Trust. Similarly, reducing the number of times you use your washing machine by one cycle could save you £5 a year.

Some showers that take hot water from a boiler or hot water tank use more energy than an electric shower. But by fitting a water efficient showerhead you can save as much as £38 a year on gas used to heat water, according to the Energy Savings Trust. And, if you spend just one minute less in the shower each day you could save a further £8 a year.

While new homes are usually more energy efficient, older homes often suffer from draughts, which waste energy (and money) through heat loss. While it’s not a substitute for professional draught-proofing, DIY draught-proofing around doors and windows can still be an effective way to save money.

Turning down your central heating by as little as one degree can save you around £60 a year. And, regardless of the age of your boiler, setting the timer so your heating comes on when you need it, and only heats areas of your home that need it, are also good ways of saving energy.

Installing a smart meter at home is another great way to save energy. You can control your heating from your mobile phone, avoid estimates with automatic meter readings, and keep an eye on how much energy you’re using. It’s greener too. Customers who’ve already had smart meters fitted use less energy, saving 24,690 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Installing energy-efficient LED light bulbs in your home is another great way to save energy. The technology has moved on a lot and the bulbs now light up instantly and come in a range of styles and brightness levels. We offer a free LED light-bulb installation to customers who take all their home services from us, helping them use around 15% less electricity every year.

It’s one of the easiest ways to save energy, but also one of the easiest to overlook. But switching of lights when they aren’t being used can help you save around £15 a year.

If you’d like help and advice about making your home more energy efficient, contact our energy efficiency line by calling now on 0333 003 5647.

You’ll be connected to our partner, Scarf, who have a team of trained advisors waiting to give you independent advice on how to use energy more efficiently.

Scarf delivers energy efficiency advice and services to households and businesses. They may also be able to provide information on publicly available finance to help improve household efficiency.

Energy Saving Trust

A great source of advice and information on the best ways to make your home more energy efficient. 

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Simple Energy Advice

Impartial advice on how to reduce carbon emissions and save money on energy bills. 

Phone: 0800 444 202
Website: www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk