Energy Saving Tips Our Top 40 40 40 40 Wskazówki dotyczące oszczędzania energii nasz Top 40-40 www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/energy-management WHAM2014 0813
2 How Green Is Your Home? Want to stop wasting energy but don t know where to start? This leaflet contains our top 40 easy tips to help you save energy and money. Why save energy? It s good for your wallet. Saving energy means you are saving money. With the ever increasing price of fuel and the cost of electricity nearly doubling since 2002, there has never been a better time to be more energy efficient. It s good for the Environment. Cutting unnecessary wastage or use of energy reduces your carbon footprint. Most carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases which are harmful to our planet are released during energy generation. Energy Saving Tips There are lots of ways to use energy more efficiently at home. Most cost nothing, some cost a little but together they could save you a lot of money on your energy bills. Lighting 1.Turn off any lights you don t need, but do make sure you have enough lighting on stairs and hallways. 2. Keep your lampshades and bulbs clean, they give out less light if they are dirty. Darker lampshades give out less light, so use lighter shades to make the most of the energy. 3. Fit lower wattage or energy efficient bulbs wherever possible. They use less than a quarter of the energy of traditional bulbs and create the same amount of light. This gives considerable savings over the lifetime of the bulb. 4. Spotlights and external flood lights are more expensive to run than other lighting, so avoid leaving them on for long periods. 5. Fluorescent tubes give out more light and are the best choice for kitchens.
Heating 8. If you are cold, put on an extra layer of clothing before you turn the heating up. An extra jumper or a pair of socks could make all the difference and save you money. 6. Turn your heating thermostat down and save on your energy bill. The recommended temperature is 18 C. Use timers and programmers to make sure that the heating and hot water are only provided where and when you need them. 7. Use thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to control the temperature of the heating in the rooms that you are using. Rooms not in use should be heated occasionally to avoid condensation and mould growth. 9. Hanging thermal curtains or adding a thick lining to your existing curtains can help keep the heat in. 10. Use the right tog duvet to avoid using heating overnight. Get a lower tog for the summer and a higher one for the winter. 11. Why not try a hot water bottle instead of an electric blanket? It ll be cheaper, safer and will still keep you warm. 12. Get some extra blankets and keep them near to the bed to put on if you feel cold during the night. 13. Aim to take a shower rather than a bath. A five minute shower will save approximately 60 litres of water compared to filling an average sized bath and save lots on water heating costs. 3
Washing 17. Whenever possible, dry your washing outside, don t hang your washing over radiators as you will cause condensation and use more money in heating. 18. If you use a tumble dryer, spin your clothes first. They ll dry in the tumble dryer more quickly. 19. Make sure the filters in your tumble dryer are fluff free. 20. Avoid piles of ironing by lowering the thermostat on your tumble dryer and hanging or folding your clothes as soon as the cycle has finished. 4 14. Always try to put a full load of washing into your washing machine or tumble dryer. 15. Save energy by washing at lower temperatures. Washing clothes at 30 C instead of a higher temperature can use around 40% less electricity. 16. Use economy programmes on your washing machine for small loads or washing which isn t very dirty.
Cooking 23. Always use the right size of pan for your cooking ring. 21. Only fill kettles with as much water as you need, but make sure there s enough water to cover the element if you re using an electric kettle. 22. When cooking vegetables, use just enough water to cover the food and put a lid on the pan to keep the heat in. Simmer instead of boiling; less steam means less need to ventilate the room, avoiding condensation buildup. 24. Don t keep opening the oven door while you are cooking. 25. Make toast in a toaster, not under the grill. 26. Use a microwave instead of the oven wherever possible, they re quick, easy and economical to use. They re not just for reheating and defrosting, but for fresh food too. 27. Don t forget to turn off the gas on the hob as soon as you have finished cooking and never use a gas cooker to heat the room. 28. Use pans that divide into sections so you can cook several items at once. Try cooking big batches of food all at once, it s more energy efficient to use all of the oven space available -freeze the food you don t need that day. 5
Fridges and Freezers Other Appliances 6 29. Don t position your fridge or freezer next to a cooker or in the sun. Make sure air can circulate around the back of your fridge or freezer and keep the back dust free. 30. Load and unload the fridge as quickly as possible. Don t leave the fridge door open for longer than you need to. 31. Never put hot food in a fridge or freezer. Let it cool first. 32. Defrost your fridge or freezer regularly to keep it working efficiently. Ice should never be more than a quarter of an inch (6mm) thick around the ice box and make sure the door seals work effectively. 33. TV s, DVD s and Hi-Fi s use up to 90% energy instandby mode. Make sure they are turned off at the socket. Or use a power down device which will automatically turn them off when you switch off your appliances. 34. Try to buy A rated appliances and switch them off at the wall when not in use. You ll be surprised how much you save! It can be a little more expensive but by buying a highly efficient appliance, you will save money and energy in the long run. Look out for the energy rating labels. 35. Towel dry your hair so you don t have to use your hairdryer as much. 36. Try not to leave phones or other items charging overnight. A few hours are usually all that s needed.
Dishwashing Wolverhampton City Council: Your local authority has an Energy Efficiency Officer who can advise you on energy efficiency. Call 01902 551346. The Energy Saving Trust: 37. If you have a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load before putting it on. 38. Pre-rinse dishes in cold water instead of hot. 39. If you re washing dishes in the sink, use a bowl or sink full of water rather than leaving the hot tap running. 40. Use your dishwasher s economy programmes wherever possible. Free Independent Energy Advice Wolverhampton Homes: Promotes the efficient use of all forms of energy in the UK to reduce consumption and improve the environment. Call 0207 222 0101 or visit www. energysavingtrust.org.uk Act on CO2 Advice Line: Provides free, impartial and independent advice on how to save energy, cut fuel bills and any available energy efficient grants. Call free on 0800 512 012. NEA (National Energy Action): Wolverhampton Homes Contact your Climate Change Officer for any information and advice on energy efficiency on 01902 556789. www. wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/ energy-management National Energy Action is an energy charity that helps low income households. Call 0191 261 5677 or visit www.nea.org.uk 7
If you require this information in another language or format, contact us on 01902 556789. Homes Direct 01902 556789