Big Energy Saving Week 2024
Are you struggling with your energy costs? Are your fuel bills leaving you cold?
Now is the time to take control!
Big Energy Saving Week 2024 (January 17-23) is here to help reduce energy waste, make houses more energy efficient and ensure we are getting the best deals from suppliers.
Saving energy at home not only saves money but reduces carbon emissions too.
Participating in Big Energy Saving Week is easy and can lead to long-term savings. Here are some quick wins to get you started:
Turn down radiators in rooms you aren’t using to save up to £50 a year
When you’re not using rooms, turn radiator valves down to a lower setting but don’t turn them off.
Turning off radiators completely in rooms you are not using is less energy efficient as this means your boiler has to work harder to maintain the temperature of a room you are heating than if kept at a low setting. Turning off radiators can also cause issues with mould and damp.
For older houses, reducing heat too much can lead to mould and damp issues, especially if there is a lot of moisture in the air. Consider using a dehumidifier and ensure adequate ventilation to remove moisture.
Wash clothes at a lower temperature to save up to £20 a year
Modern washing machines can clean clothes effectively at lower temperatures. Changing from 40°C to 30°C means you could get 3 cycles instead of 2 using the same amount of energy, depending on your washing machine.
Do you even need to wash that jumper, or can you spot clean it instead? Check out these top tips for washing, drying and caring for your clothes.
Turn appliances off at the socket to save up to £50 a year
Almost all electrical appliances in your home, such as computers, televisions, smart devices and video game consoles, draw power continuously unless unplugged. Turn off the power switch at the socket or unplug appliances from the socket when they are not in use.
Find and fix draughts to save up to £50 a year
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective actions you can take to stop or prevent heat escaping and reduce your energy bills. Block unwanted gaps around windows, doors and floors that let the cold air in and warm air out. Make sure you don’t block or seal any intentional ventilation, such as extractor fans, underfloor grilles or airbricks, wall vents or trickle vents.
Drive out draughts with this easy to make draught excluder using a pair of old jean, tights or leggings that are no longer wearable:
Switch to energy saving light bulbs to save up to £40 a year
Traditional or incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient. By gradually switching to energy efficient bulbs, such as LEDs, you can save money on your energy bills while keeping your rooms well lit. LED light bulbs also last longer than traditional bulbs, saving on maintenance costs. The amount of light, or colour of the light (white to yellow) is not linked to a bulb’s energy usage, so you can get the same light at a much lower energy cost.
Don’t forget to recycle your old lightbulbs! You can recycle them at your local recycling centre or check to see if you can recycle lightbulbs at home in your household recycling collection.
For more recommendations that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm, click here.
