Cheap but simple tricks and tips to get your home back on the straight and narrow.
Heating and hot water
- Learn to use the boiler programmer so that your heating comes on only when you need it.
- Turn your thermostat down by 1°C saving 8% on your heating bill. The ideal temperature for your home is between 18 and 21 °C
- For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing
- Use a plug in the sink rather than leaving the hot water tap running
- Turn your thermostat down by 1°C saving 8% on your heating bill. The ideal temperature for your home is between 18 and 21 °C
- For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing
- Use a plug in the sink rather than leaving the hot water tap running
Insulation
- Close curtains at dusk
- Fit PVC seal on exterior doors to eliminate draughts
- Stop draughts and heat escaping through floorboards and skirting by filling gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant
- Check the insulation in your loft. It should be 25cm (10 inches)
- If you have cavity walls, look into getting them insulated. There are grants for insulation improvements available to some, check the grants page.
- Fit PVC seal on exterior doors to eliminate draughts
- Stop draughts and heat escaping through floorboards and skirting by filling gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant
- Check the insulation in your loft. It should be 25cm (10 inches)
- If you have cavity walls, look into getting them insulated. There are grants for insulation improvements available to some, check the grants page.
Electrical Appliances
- Avoid leaving appliances on standby
- Don't leave the fridge door open longer than necessary and allow hot food to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.
- Defrost your freezer regularly so that it runs efficiently and cheaply.
- Try to make sure your washing machine and dishwashers are full before washing. Use the eco setting if you have one.
- Don't leave the fridge door open longer than necessary and allow hot food to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.
- Defrost your freezer regularly so that it runs efficiently and cheaply.
- Try to make sure your washing machine and dishwashers are full before washing. Use the eco setting if you have one.
Lighting
- Replace filament bulbs with energy saving light bulbs. They will pay for themselves in the savings you make on your bills in one year and they last much longer.
Things to remember
- It's very simportant to ensure that any appliance, including cookers or boilers, have enough ventilation to operate safely
- Do not block up existing air vents or grills, they are there to ensure there is enough ventilation
- Make sure any chimneys and flues being used by appliances burning fuel (gas, coal, oil, wood etc) are regularly swept and checked for blockages
- For more information on safety visit The Carbon Monoxide & Gas Safety Society website