Tips for Saving Energy in the Home

Eliminate draughts and wasted heat by fitting brush strips to doors, seals to windows, and closing gaps in floorboards and skirtings.
Ensure heating time and temperature controls are set correctly. Turning down a thermostat by just one degree will save around 10% on your heating bill.
Consider cavity wall and increased loft insulation. Around 45% of heat in the home escapes through the walls and roof.
If you are replacing your boiler, upgrade to a high efficiency condensing boiler. A condensing boiler will deliver the same heat using 20% less fuel than a conventional boiler, by reclaiming heat from the flue gases. .

Switch off lights in empty rooms. It is a popular myth that it is cheaper to leave a light on.
Use daylight where possible. It’s free and more pleasant than artificial light.
Convert to low energy bulbs. These only use 1/5th of the electricity of a tungsten light and last eight times longer.

Only use the required water when boiling a kettle. Your cup of tea will be ready quicker and cost less.
Don’t leave the television and VCR on standby mode. They continue to us up to 70% of normal power consumption at no use, and are an increased fire risk.
Purchase energy efficiency rated equipment when replacing items. Look for the energy efficiency logo. Band “A” goods are the most efficient.

Ensure your hot water tank is sufficiently lagged. A lagging jacket will pay for itself in less than a year, and eliminate excessive heat build up in the cupboard.
Fix dripping taps. The water you have heated is going straight down the drain.

Further advice, assistance and grant information is available from the sites linked to below.