Energy Saving Tips

It's easy to make simple changes to your daily life that can help the environment - and save you money.
Over the course of a year, you could save as much as £300 on your energy bills by following the tips in the illustration below. Click here Opens in a new window for the full-size image.

Save £37 a year
Using energy saving bulbs can reduce energy bills by £37 a year.

Save £7 a year
Switch off lights when leaving the room and let in as much daylight as possible during the day. This can save £7 a year.

Save £42 a year
Taking a three to five minute shower instead of a bath will use a third of the water, saving up to 400 litres a week. That's enough water for 1,000 cups of tea.

Save £15 a year
Drying clothes outside or on a clothes horse instead of using a tumble dryer can save you up to £15 a year. If you have to use a tumble dryer, avoid putting really wet clothes into it; wring them out or spin-dry them first.

Save £7 a year
Heat only the amount of water you really need and if you're using an electric kettle, make sure you cover the element. This can save you £7 a year.

Save £10 a year
Fill your washer or dryer. If you can't, use the half load or the economical programme. Use 'low temperature' detergent and set it to 30ºC whenever you can.

Save £48 a year
Buying an A-rated (most energy efficient) appliance can save you money if your current appliance is over 10 years old.

Save £33 a year
The average household wastes £33 a year by leaving appliances like TVs, DVD players, computers and games consoles on standby. Turning items off at the wall will save you money and reduces fire risk.

Save £30 a year
If you're buying a large flat-screen TV, choosing an LCD model over a plasma one will save £30 a year.

Save £55 a year
Turn down your thermostat by just 1°C and save up to £55 a year. If you're going away during winter, leave it on a low setting to prevent freezing.

Save £££ a year
Close your curtains at dusk to keep the heat in. But don't cover radiators with them as the heat will be directed out of the windows.

*Savings based on a three bedroomed semi-detached home at 2009 average energy prices and include all possible energy efficiency measures that can be introduced to a home (not only those featured in this illustration) (figures provided by the Energy Saving Trust) © Isos Housing Group 2009.