How to save energy in your home

• avoid using portable heaters as a main heat source as they are very expensive to run
• if you have a combi-boiler, turning down the flow temperature on your boiler to 60℃ can make it operate more efficiently and save you money. Find out how to turn down your boiler flow temperature
• have your boiler and gas appliances serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer, to ensure they’re working safely and efficiently
• take time to understand how your thermostat works and double check it is set to control your heating and hot water to come on and off when you need them
• heat only the areas of your home that you need to by using thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) and turning them down in unused rooms. Find out more about heating controls on the Energy Saving Trust website
• buy thermal-backed curtains or use detachable linings to keep your rooms warmer in winter and cooler in summer
• insulate water tanks to prevent heat loss
• seal draughts. View tips on draught exclusion on the Energy Saving Trust website
• don't block ventilation such as extractor fans, as this can lead to mould growth

LEDs are the most energy efficient light bulbs and can last for 30 years. Installing LEDs is one of the most cost effective energy saving measures.

When choosing new appliances, look at the energy labels and choose ones which are A or B rated. These will be cheaper to run.  

When buying new electronic equipment look for the power rating on the back (e.g. 3kW). The higher this number, the more electricity the device will use.

You can work out how costly your appliances are to use by multiplying the kilowattage (kW) by the hours of use, then multiplying by how much you energy supplier charges for 1kWh of electricity (from your bill).

To improve energy efficiency in your kitchen, be aware that:

• heating water uses a large amount of energy
  • only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need
  • cover your pans and simmer rather than boil - this will save energy and reduce condensation and mould
  • try using pans that can divide into sections so you can cook and steam several items at once
• cut food into smaller pieces to speed up the cooking time
• make toast in a toaster, not under the grill
• defrost food in the fridge overnight rather than using a microwave

Fridges/freezers

To help the efficiency of fridges and freezers:

• don’t put your fridge or freezer next to a cooker or in direct sunlight
• make sure air can circulate around the back
• don’t leave the fridge door open for longer than you need to
• don't put hot food in a fridge or freezer as it warms the whole fridge
• defrost your fridge or freezer regularly - check the manufacturer’s instructions for more details
• check for gaps in door seals that could let warm air in. You can do this by putting a piece of paper in the door – if you can easily remove the paper with the door closed, it is not sealed properly and will be letting warm air into the fridge
• freezers work most efficiently when they’re tightly packed - fill any space with bread or re-filled bottles of water

Laundry

To help the efficiency of washing your clothes:

• dry your washing outside if you can and make sure the filters in your tumble dryer are fluff free
• avoid drying washing on radiators as it makes your heating system work harder and will cause condensation, which could create a damp problem in your home
• reduce your washing machine use by spot cleaning small stains
• fully load your washing machine, unless you have chosen a half load wash, otherwise you will be wasting water and electricity
• save energy by washing at lower temperatures. A 30° wash can use around 40% less energy than washing at higher temperatures. Many washing powders and detergents are specifically designed to work at lower temperatures

• turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving. A running tap can waste over 6 litres of water per minute. It is important to fix dripping taps as just one could be wasting up to 315 litres of water a year
• spend less time in the shower, so you are heating less water
• showers that take hot water straight from your boiler or hot water tank (rather than an electric shower), can be fitted with water efficient shower heads. This will reduce hot water usage while retaining the sensation of a powerful shower
• sign up for SES Get Water Fit app to access free water saving devices.

To help the energy efficiency of toilets:

• check whether your toilet cistern is leaking down the back of the pan by adding some food colouring to the cistern. After 30 minutes, check the water in the pan to see if there is any colour there, if so, there is a leak. This can waste on average 400 litres a day
• if replacing your valve, switch it to a syphon valve. These are now available for dual flush toilets. Ensure any new toilets have a syphon valve flush to avoid this problem. View SES water guidance on checking for leaks
• make sure you know where the main stop valve is for your property. It could save you a fortune if a pipe springs a leak
• use a water displacement device (usually called a hippo or save-a-flush). They sit in your cistern, and save nearly 3 litres of water every time you flush

Smart meters are connected to a digital display that lets you see how much energy you’re using, so that you can make changes to use less. They also send data about your usage to your energy supplier to make sure you get accurate energy bills, which avoids having to read the meter manually.

Smart meters allow pre-payment customers to top-up remotely without leaving home.

View the Smart Energy GB website to learn more about smart meters and how to get one installed.