Saving energy and water at home

We use energy everywhere in our homes, from turning on the lights, to watching the TV, heating our homes to charging our mobile phones and with the recent price rises, it is costing us more and more each year.

In the UK, most energy at home is used on heating, hot water and running lighting and appliances.

• To help make your home more energy efficient look at the recommendations section of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your home
• Heating your home is a big energy consumer so the priority is to insulate your home (loft, walls, water tank and pipes) to keep the heat in and also minimise draughts (letter boxes, loft hatches, chimneys, windows and doors)
• Set your heating and hot water controls to suit your lifestyle. There is no need to heat an empty home for long periods or spare rooms not regularly used. Set it to go off half an hour before you leave and come back on half an hour before you return. Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV) on each radiator allow greater control for each room
• Low energy lighting has improved a lot since the introduction of LEDs. Every fitting will have an LED alternative available and with the drop in price it makes sense to invest
• Showers use less water than a bath but don’t spend more than five minutes in it and check you have a low flow shower head
• Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth and wash dishes in a washing up bowl. Only use the tap to rinse and in hot weather use the washing up water in the garden
• Fully load dishwashers and washing machines but only fill the kettle with as much water as you need
• In the garden use a watering can rather than a hose and install water butts so you mostly use rain water.