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What can I do at home to save energy, cut carbon and save money?

Around the house

• turn off videos, stereos, televisions and other electrical items - they all use electricity when on stand-by, in some case up to 60% of the energy used when switched on
• switch off lights in empty rooms
• read your meters and compare to your bills
• slightly turn thermostats down - turning heating down just one degree celsius will save between 8 - 10% of annual heating bills
• reduce heat loss by closing curtains at dusk
• only heat water which you will actually use.

In the kitchen

• cook with lids on pans
• if you can, use flat-bottomed pans on electric hobs
• keep your fridge/freezer at the right temperature (2-3° C for a fridge & -15° C for a freezer), and make sure the door seal works properly
• allow air to circulate behind your fridge and clean 'fuzz' off the piping at the back
• defrost your freezer regularly
• run the washing machine with full loads
• purchase energy efficient appliances - all new electrical goods should display an energy label explaining how much energy it uses. Efficient appliances are often good value as they offer future savings. Appliances graded A (most efficient) use less than half the energy of similar models graded G (least efficient).

Home Improvements

Lighting
Low energy light bulbs can make big savings. If you replace one normal 100 watt light bulb with an energy-saving one and you can save up to £10 a year. They cost more, but should last up to eight times as long (check that the bulb you buy states it will last for at least 8,000 hours).

Water
Lagging your hot water pipes should enable you to turn the water heat down a little. You can buy pre-formed foam tubing from a DIY store. Putting a jacket on your hot water tank means it doesn't have to use as much energy to keep your water hot. Ideally use an 80mm (3") thick insulation jacket from your DIY store that meets British Standards. It could cut your heat loss by 75% and pay for itself in a few months.

Insulation
Do you know where heat is lost from a non- insulated home?

• 35% goes through walls
• 25% lost straight through the roof
• 15% is lost to draughts
• 15% lost through the floor
• 10% lost through windows.

Insulating your home may cost a bit at first, but rest assured you'll start to feel the financial savings after a few months. Your loft insulation should be at least 200mm thick - if it's not get advice from a DIY store and top it up.

With so much heat lost through walls it's important to do something about it. If you have cavity walls (likely if your home was built after 1930) then these can be filled and save up to £70 a year on your heating bills. Draught-proof your outside doors with a brush-hinged flap seal. The type of seal needed for windows will depend on the style of windows you have.

Visit Energy Saving Trust for more simple ideas how to save energy in your home.

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