Cut costs at home – 13 Steps to energy efficiency

1. Turn off standby devices

Leaving devices on standby is a convenience that could set you back on average £70 per year. Worth it? Turn off the games consoles, TVs, computers and sound systems at night. You’ll be surprised how many devices you’ve been leaving on all the time – it all adds up!

2. Turn down the thermostat

According to The Energy Saving Trust you can save £75 a year just from turning your thermostat down by 1C and you’ll hardly notice the difference in temperature. Make sure you set your heating on timers so it’s only running when you need it, cutting costs further.

3. Energy efficient devices

Choose energy efficient appliances - Look out for A, A+ or A++ energy ratings on white goods and pick eco-friendly light bulbs. While they may initially cost a little more, in the long run they’ll reduce your bills.

4. Get the most out of your freezer

Defrosting your freezer once every 6 months will help it to perform efficiently. Surprisingly the more you keep in your freezer the less it has to work to maintain its temperature. So, get stocking up – this trick works with your fridge too.

5. Cook multiple meals at once

Heating anything whether it’s the kettle, the washing machine, or the oven is a big energy zapper. If the oven’s on for a couple of hours make the most out of it and use the space available. Cook extra meals for lunch throughout the week at the same time as your Sunday roast.

6. Monitor your energy consumption

Using an energy meter will help you track your energy consumption. You’ll be able to see where you are wasting energy, sometimes all you need is a reminder and you’ll see yourself making smarter decisions like avoiding the tumble dryer on a nice day and putting less water in the kettle.

7. Install a new boiler

On average boilers are responsible for 60% of our annual energy bills. Switching from an old, less efficient boiler, to a modern A-rated one that allows you to control the temperature in each room could save you up to £570 a year on heating bills. Find out if you qualify for a grant.

8. Wash clothes at 30c

90% of the energy used to run your washing machine goes on heating it – if you cut the temperature, you’ll also cut the costs. Washing clothes at 30°C instead of 40°C uses approximately 40% less electricity and will clean everyday clothes just as well.

9. Don’t block your radiator

According to the Energy Saving Trust 42% of homes block their radiators with furniture, this prevents the hot air from circulating and makes it harder to heat your home. Keep clothes away from the radiators too. Drying clothes this way makes the boiler work harder, it can also be bad for your health, and doesn’t look great if you have guests round. If you have the space hang clothes in a utility room or outside when the weather allows.

10. Invest in double/triple glazing

With single glazed windows you can easily feel the draft entering your home, it’s easy to see how much heat can be lost this way, driving up your heating bills. New windows can be costly, but as well as improving energy efficiency they’ll also add value to your home, reduce noise and prevent condensation. Starting with the rooms you use the most is a quicker way to start seeing improvements.

11. Convert your conservatory

Often people avoid spending time in their conservatory as it’s far too cold in the winter – choosing to convert your conservatory to a solid tiled CosyRoof will improve energy efficiency and allow you to enjoy this space all year round. Our insulating properties are so outstanding that CosyRoof qualifies for reduced VAT (only 5%) due to the energy efficiency of the product. Find out more & get a quote.

12. Don’t forget to Insulate

You can save up to 40% on your heating bills by insulating your home with Spray Foam Insulation. This is a quick way to get serious improvement in terms of energy efficiency, providing an airtight seal made of eco-friendly materials. CosyInsulation is BBA approved and offers a lifetime guarantee, ensuring you save money in the long run.

13. Add Solar panels to your home

Solar panels allow you to generate your own energy from the sun, making your home more environmentally friendly, using less energy from the grid and cutting your costs. It doesn’t have to be a sunny day to produce energy, it can still work when it’s cloudy. You can even make money from your solar panels by feeding into the grid and benefiting from the Feed-in Tarrif scheme.