Becoming energy efficient is beneficial not only for the environment as it reduces your carbon emissions but also for your bank account as it can help save you money on your energy bills. These are our top tips for being energy efficient and saving money.

• Ensure your loft insulation is at the correct amount. Loft insulation reduces the rate that heat escapes from your home. It is recommended that your loft insulation is at 270mm. It is also important that your insulation is not squashed down, if it is, it will not work as effectively. If you currently don’t have loft insulation or are not sure whether you have the correct amount then contact Freesource Energy now for advice.

• Switch to LED lighting. LED bulbs work at a lower wattage than normal household bulbs but still give off the same amount of light. Working at a lower wattage means they will be using less electricity, and in turn will help save money.

• Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by just 1°C could cut your heating bill by 10%. If you have a programmer then it is advisable to set your heating and hot water to come on when you need it, rather than all the time.

• Always turn lights off when you leave the room. If you know you are guilty of leaving lights on when you leave a room, or even when you leave the house, talk to Freesource Energy about installing occupancy/PIR or time lag switches which can be set to turn lights off automatically.

• A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and water. In just one week it could waste enough water to fill half a bath! Make sure you keep an eye on dripping taps and get them fixed as quickly as possible if you notice a problem.

• Make sure your kitchen appliances are A++ or A+ rated. Upgrading to an A++ fridge freezer could help save around £36 per year.

• Close your curtains during the evening. Not only do curtains give you some privacy within your home, they also reduce the rate heat escapes through windows and doors.

• Draft proofing could save you around £25 per year so invest in some draft excluders for your windows and doors.

• Try to only turn on your washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher when they are completely full. One full load uses less energy than two half loads.

• When spring cleaning, get the duster out and dust your fridge! When dust gathers on the condenser coils at the back it can increase the fridge’s energy consumption.

• A wash at 60°C uses 30% more energy than if you set it at 30° or 40°. 90% of a washing machine’s energy is used to heat the water so washing clothes at lower temperatures can save this excess energy.

• Don’t leave appliances on standby. Even when on standby, appliances such as televisions are still using energy. Try to keep them switched off at the plug and where possible, don’t leave laptops or mobile phones on charge when they do not need it.

• Turn off your tumble dryer. Where possible, try drying your clothes naturally as tumble dryers use a lot of electricity. Having said this; try not to dry clothes on a radiator. It makes your boiler work harder.

• Is your boiler older than 15 year old? Perhaps it is time to replace it to a newer model. This could potentially save you £300 per year.

• Insulate your pipes and hot water cylinder. Pipe work insulation and hot water cylinder jackets reduce the rate that heat escapes meaning your water will be hotter for longer, even as it travels round the house.