10 ways to be more energy efficient

​With the thermostat dropping and rising energy costs, we’re all feeling the pinch. That’s why it’s important to look at ways to prepare your home for winter and make it more energy efficient. Our Top Ten Tips can help you save money and energy over the upcoming months.

1. Insulate your house. It’s the time to fill any cracks around the windows, invest a little in draft excluders and window film, and make sure you shut the curtains early, to keep the heat in.
2. Install a smart meter. It means you don’t have to take your own meter reading and can keep track of how much energy you’re using and spending.
3. Get a thermostat for your heating. You can retrofit thermostatic valves to control the heat of the house and save energy and money by keeping it at 18 – 20 degrees. Reducing the thermostat on your boiler by just 1 degree saves 310kg of carbon dioxide a year from your carbon footprint. It’s a great way to prepare your home for winter and the colder months.
4. Replaced used bulbs with LED lights. They might cost more initially but will save money and energy in the long run.
5. Get an AQOS shower meter. It will let you see how much water you’re using and heating for each shower and encourage you to cut down your time and save money!
6. Invest in blankets. Hot water bottles, microwavable heaties and heated blankets are cost efficient ways to stay warm. As everyone is saying, heat the human, not the home!
7. Insulate your pipes. You can save money and prevent heat loss, by grabbing foam tubes from your local DIY store. Then it’s simple. Just put them around your pipes where they are exposed.
8. Turn your electricals off standby. A simple way to save money. Electricals use energy even if they’re on standby and not being used, so make sure you turn them off.
9. Bleed your radiators. Get rid of any trapped air which is preventing them from filling with hot water, and fit reflective blankets behind any radiators fitted onto external walls.
10. Use your appliances efficiently. Use your dishwasher and washing machine only when full and always on eco mode and, at a cost of £2 to £3 per load, save your tumble drier for emergencies!