Energy Saving Ideas

Installing renewable technology in your home can run into the thousands, but will bring many cost saving benefits in the long term.

However, going green in your home does not need to cost a fortune. If you are looking for instant financial rewards a few well thought out changes can start making savings on your energy bills now.

Improve your Loft Insulation

For a couple of hundred pounds you can insulate your loft and save up to 25% of the heat you lose through your roof. Creating a warmer home and making considerable savings on your heating bill.

Most DIY stores sell loft insulation and is something that you can install yourself over a weekend.

There are also energy saving grants available to help cover some of the costs.

Install Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

The quality of energy efficient light bulbs nowadays is very good. The range and availability of energy efficient light bulbs is also better than it has ever been.

DIY, hardware stores and superstores all stock them so there's no excuse for not converting to these bulbs. Especially as they last longer than normal bulbs and use around five times less electricity.

They may be a bit more expensive than normal bulbs but you get back what you paid within a year on electricity savings.

Turn off your Appliances

Not only does leaving your appliances on standby drain electricity resources, it directly drains your cash.

Leaving a PC on standby overnight costs you around £50 per year. Whereas other devices like your TV and DVD player cost £35 upwards per year if you leave them on standby overnight.

Before you go to bed remember to close down your PC and get into the habit of turning other appliances off.

Devices with digital clocks or displays may need to be turned off at the plug in order to see these energy savings.

Turn down your Heating Thermostat

Turning down your heating thermostat by just 1 degree can cut your heating bill by up to 10%.

Ideally, homes and offices should have their heating set between 18 and 21 degrees. Having it set higher than this could indicate the need for improved insulation to stop heat escaping.

Switch to Green Energy

You can buy green electricity and gas now through Good Energy by switching to their green energy tariff.

Check with your current supplier and compare their offer with Good Energy to see if you are being offered the best deal.

Install a Special Energy Control Hub

This is a heating and electrical control hub which can learn your habits and automatically make adjustments save you money without you making any personal effort. In addition you can monitor your energy use (which helps you see where you could make savings by altering your behaviour) and centrally power down all non essential devices with one simple click.

Install a Simple Energy Monitor

If a full control hub seems too much, why not try a small energy monitor? These simple devices gives you a constant readout of how much power your house is currently consuming. You will be amazed by how simply you can save money and lower your carbon emissions by turning off a few gadgets.

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