Quick and cheap home energy-saving tips
January 24, 2020
In honour of Big Energy Saving Week 2020, we share our favourite, affordable energy-saving hacks that you easily can implement in your home.
1. Air dry your washing
Opting to air dry your clothes once in a while instead of using a tumble dryer can be a great energy saver. If it’s raining and you can’t hang them on the line, simply dry them inside – but make sure the room is well insulated to prevent damp!
2. Install a water-efficient showerhead
Whether you’re an in-and-out person or you enjoy taking your sweet time in the shower, a water-efficient (also known as a low-flow) shower head could make all the difference to your annual water bill by controlling the water flow rate and spray pattern of your shower
You can buy these for as little as £5, and here’s a quick way to check whether or not a water-saving showerhead could benefit your household, thanks to www.savewatersavemoney.com:
“With a measuring jug, unscrew the existing showerhead, put the end of the hose into the measuring jug and let the water flow into the jug for 1 minute. The number of litres collected within these 60 seconds determines how many litres of water per minute your system supplies. If there are more than 9 litres of water in the measuring jug, you will benefit from installing a water-efficient showerhead.”
3. Close the curtains!
This one works both ways, helping you to keep the heat in on cold days - and also keeping it out when it’s hot and you’re tempted to switch on the fan or the air conditioning.
4. Be kettle savvy
Making a brew? Only boil the amount of water you need per mug. Most modern kettles feature a guide on the side that tells you how much you water you need per person. Also be sure to descale your kettle regularly; limescale build-up can mean your kettle is using up way more energy than it needs to.
5. Switch off standby
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that up to a staggering £80 per year is wasted in the average home due to appliances left on standby. By switching off televisions, phone chargers, stereos and games consoles at the plug, you can make savings in both electricity and money. This infographic created by USwitch puts into perspective just how much money we waste every year by leaving appliances on standby.
6. Choose energy saving bulbs
Illuminate your home more efficiently by swapping regular light bulbs for energy saving bulbs. You can buy these at a low cost and in all sizes, shapes, fittings and brightness choices, and you don’t have to replace ALL your light bulbs at once; just swapping five to start with can make a difference to your energy bills.
Not sure where to start? HERE’S a great guide to buying energy saving light bulbs.
7. Get the most out of your fridge and freezer
From maintaining the correct temperature to filling empty space, how you use your fridge and freezer can have a significant impact on your energy use.
Your fridge should be between 3 and 5°C, whilst your freezer should be 18°C to ensure your food is kept cool.
Cooking for the week ahead or storing leftovers? Instead of putting hot food in the fridge (which will take up more energy), leave it on the counter and wait for it to cool first.
Finally – keep both your fridge and freezer at least three-quarters full to prevent energy loss through heating empty air. You can fill space with newspaper or bottles/zip-lock bags of tap water.
Do you have any of your own energy-saving tips? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!
J Tomlinson, which was founded in Nottingham the 1950s, works primarily across the Midlands, Yorkshire and Northern and Central England.
The company provides a range of sustainable building solutions including refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, engineering services, extra care construction, renewable energy, and facilities management, working across a range of key sectors including extra care, healthcare, blue light, social housing and local government.
