We’re constantly being told to conserve energy and we know that energy prices are on the up. Aside from making sure that we don’t leave plugs switched on or computers and TVs on standby over night, what else can be done to avoid wasting energy?
Here are some top tips that may seem obvious, but are easy to miss.
Don’t charge your mobile phone or tablet over night. Most will charge within a matter of a few hours meaning that while you’re asleep you could have charged your mobile devices three if not four times over!
The nights have been cold, so no one would blame you for using a heated blanket, but try not to leave it on hours before getting in bed and make sure that you turn it off as soon as you wake up.
Most TVs have a sleep timer, if you like to watch TV when in bed make sure you have your timer on so that it’s not on all night while you are asleep. Many radios, even podcast apps on your mobile device, will have that function too.
If you have a draft coming in to your home, check windows and doors. Heavier curtains and draft excluders will not only stop the draft coming in, they will stop the heat getting out.
Don’t put hot food in your fridge. Wait for your food to cool completely or your fridge will work overtime to bring the temperature down.
This one will seem obvious: don’t leave your windows open when you have the heating on. If you like to have fresh air in the home, turn your heating off first. The more heating that leaves your home, the more likely you are to turn up the temperature and waste money. Also, if you have a thermostat that automatically adjusts based on the temperature of the room, you may find your heat going up without realising it.
This last one is the most obvious of all: if you’re not using an electrical device and it doesn’t need to be on then turn it of! Here are a list of things you might not think of:
- Mobile chargers
- TV
- DVD recorder
- Digital TV box (there is no need to leave it on if you are not recording anything)
- Broadband hub (check that you don’t have any devices that rely on the internet before turning it off!)
- Side/desk lamps
- Computers/laptops
- Chargers – if they are not in use why are they still switched on?
- Speakers for mobile devices
- Kitchen appliances such as blenders, slow cookers and coffee machines
There are many ways to save energy. If you’re looking for more inspiration read our winter money saving tips article.
If you’ve followed all of our energy saving tips but still finding that your bills are still high then you may need a boiler or gas check then please get in touch.
Image by Colin Brough
