This week is Big Energy Saving Week; a national campaign that aims to help people cut their energy bills and save energy, by making their homes more energy-efficient.
It coincides with the launch of Bristol Live's #Do1Thing campaign , which aims to get people in Bristol making small changes to their lifestyle in order to fight climate change, and we've compiled a list of things you can do to make a difference .
As part of the campaign, Bristol Energy, which recently announced a new 100% green electricity and lower carbon gas portfolio of tariffs , has shared ten energy saving tips for your household.
What is your carbon footprint? Take our quiz to find out
Switch it off
Appliances on standby still consume electricity, so switch them off at the plug when not in use. You should also avoid charging laptops and mobile phones unnecessarily or overnight as this will also waste energy.
Be careful with your kettle
On average, we boil twice as much water as we need when we put the kettle on! Filling the kettle to the brim can waste as much energy as driving a small car half a mile. So make sure you only use what you need.
Maximise the use of your radiator
Try not to put furniture in front of your radiators as they will absorb the heat and waste energy. Putting kitchen foil behind radiators reflects more heat back into a room. Just mount some foil on cardboard (with the shiny side facing outwards) and you’re all set.
Turn heating down a degree
We all agree that the most important thing is to keep warm in winter, but turning your heating thermostat down by just 1°C could reduce your heating bills by up to £80 - £85 a year. If you go away for a few days during the winter months, leave the thermostat on a low setting to avoid damage from freezing such as burst pipes.
Close the gaps with a draft excluder
Stop cold air coming in through gaps around doors or letter boxes with draft excluders. Closing your curtains will also help keep the heat in.
Wash at 30
Wash your clothes at 30 degrees, modern detergents now work just as well at cooler temperatures. Try to always wash a full load too; one full load uses less energy than two half loads.
Low energy lighting
Energy saving lighting such as LEDs use less energy and last longer, saving on both running and replacement costs.
Check your appliances
You can save on energy bills by choosing more energy efficient appliances for your home when you come to replace them. All new electrical appliances and gas boilers are rated according to how much energy they use based on size categories. An A+++ rated appliance is the most efficient and a G rated appliance is the least efficient, and therefore the most expensive to run.
Watch your water use
Consider washing dishes by hand and replace or repair leaking taps to avoid wasting hot water. Showering for a few minutes less each day will also save water and energy.
Check your energy tariff and energy provider.
Be sure to check your energy bills to make sure you are paying a fair price. Shop around and find the right energy deal to suit your home.
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