There are many ways to save energy and reduce your energy bills this winter. Each small step adds up to a bigger saving and will help keep your home warm.

Save on heating

  • If you have a timer on your central heating system, set the heating and hot water to come on only when required.
  • If you turn down your main thermostat by 1 degree, you can save around £60 on your energy bill. But make sure your home is still warm enough during cold weather.
  • Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves and using these controls efficiently could save you around £75 a year.
  • Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows and check for draughts around windows and doors.
  • Draught-proofing windows and doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can save around £25 a year on energy bills.
  • To really make the most of the heat you’re paying for, you could get smart meters to help track and manage your energy use.

Save on appliances

  • Turning your appliances off standby mode can save you £35 a year, and remember not to leave laptops and mobile phones on charge unnecessarily.

Save in the kitchen

  • Use a bowl to wash-up rather than running a tap, reduce your washing machine use by one cycle a week, and only fill the kettle with the water you need and you could save around £39 a year in the kitchen.

Save in the bathroom

  • Spend one minute less in the shower each day and a family of four could save £75 a year on energy and water bills.
  • A running tap wastes more than 6 litres of water every minute, so turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face.
  • Replacing an inefficient shower head with a water efficient one could save a household of four people around £38 a year off gas bills and around £53 a year off water bills.

Save on lighting

  • Turn your lights off when you’re not using them. If you switch a light off for just a few seconds, you will save more energy than it takes for the light to start up again. This will save you around £15 a year on your energy bills.
  • Replace your bulbs as and when you can with energy efficient LEDs – on average it could save about £40 a year on bills.

Further ways to save

Smart meters can help you track your energy usage and understand where you can make changes that can save money on your energy bills – ask your energy supplier about arranging an installation.

Find out more about the different ways you can reduce your energy bills this winter:

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency

If you live in England, the Green Homes Grant can provide vouchers worth up to two thirds of the cost of upgrading the energy efficiency of their home. Find out whether your home is eligible for a grant via the UK Government website.

If you live in Wales, contact the Welsh Government’s Nest scheme on 0808 808 2244 to see if you are eligible for a package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating or insulation.

Save says

Get the whole family on board – everyone can do their bit to help save energy!