| Many people are trying to cut down the amount of | | | | sure you have set your thermostat to only heat |
| energy they use in the home these days. High | | | | your house when necessary, during the day when |
| energy prices have eaten into household budgets, | | | | you are there. If you current heating controls don't |
| and many people also want to do their bit to help | | | | allow you to program this, consider replacing them |
| prevent Climate Change. Everyone seems to be | | | | 4. Fit a hot water jacket to your hot water cylinder |
| getting in on the act, with politicians installing solar | | | | that's at least 75mm (3") thick, and you could save |
| panels and wind turbines on their houses. | | | | around £20 a year. And it should cost only |
| However, you don't have to invest in such expensive | | | | around £10 to do. |
| and sophisticated technology to make big savings on | | | | 5. Make sure you are not overheating your hot |
| energy in the home. In fact you can save a large | | | | water. Your cylinder thermostat should be set no |
| amount of money with some simple measures that | | | | higher than 60ºC/140ºF |
| are free, or else cost very little to do, with a very | | | | 6. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping |
| high return on your initial outlay. | | | | through the windows, making sure that they do not |
| You can start reducing your home energy | | | | cover your radiator. |
| consumption and your bills today with 10 simple | | | | 7. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy, so make |
| actions: | | | | sure they're fully turned off and any leaking taps are |
| 1. Swap the 5 to 10 light bulbs that you use most | | | | quickly repaired |
| with low energy bulbs. Low energy bulbs now cost | | | | 8. Use thick rugs with underlay on wooden floors to |
| only about 50p each, and can save up to £10 | | | | improve their insulation |
| a year in electricity bills. Over its lifetime, a low | | | | 9. Wash your clothes at no more than 40 degrees. All |
| energy bulb will save you £50-100 in electricity | | | | modern detergents are designed to clean successfully |
| costs. It's one of the best investments you can | | | | at 40°C and there is no need for a pre-wash. |
| make. Plus always turn out lights when you leave the | | | | Washing at 65°C requires twice as much energy |
| room | | | | 10. Only fill your kettle with as much water as you |
| 2. Don't leave appliances like televisions and | | | | need (but remember to cover the elements if you're |
| computers on standby and remember not to leave | | | | using an electric kettle) |
| appliances like mobile phones on charge unnecessarily. | | | | You can also have other valuable energy saving |
| Things let on standby are still using electricity, and | | | | home improvements done for free if you receive |
| could be using 10-20% of your electricity per year. | | | | certain government benefits. These include loft and |
| 3. Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could | | | | cavity wall insulation, and new central heating. Your |
| cut your heating bills by up to 10 per cent (or an | | | | energy supplier or one of the major national insulation |
| average of £30). N.B. the recommended | | | | companies should be able to tell you if you qualify for |
| temperature for a living room is 21°C. And make | | | | one of these. |