Energy Advice
Save energy, save money and help the environment too!
Most of our energy saving tips cost nothing and by making a few small changes could make a big difference to your bills.
Keeping the cold out
- Closing curtains at night helps insulate your room and reduces heat loss.
- Keep your outside doors shut, and add draught covers to the letterbox and key holes.
Heating
- Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save you around £100 per year.
- Turn the thermostatic radiator valves down on radiators in rooms which you only use occasionally.
- Move furniture away from radiators or heaters to let the heat into the room.
Appliances
- Match the size of the ring to the size of the saucepan or you will be paying to heat the air.
- Use a lid on saucepans, so the contents heat and cook more quickly
- Switch off your electrical appliances at the wall, not just with the ‘standby’ button, as this still uses almost as much power as when they are fully turned on.
- Unplug mobile phones, shavers and electric toothbrushes when they are fully charged, otherwise they will keep using electricity.
- Dry your clothes outside when possible
- Replace normal light bulbs with energy saving bulbs – they can save you up to £78 of electricity per bulb, and last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.
- Turn the light off when you leave the room, even if it’s only for a minute or two.
For more tips and advice on saving energy in the home visit http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or contact the Sustainability Team on 0330 175 9540.
Energy in the home
Save money on energy use in your home;
- Green Doctor FREE energy visits (includes LED light bulbs, draught proofing, advice on how to save)
- Comparison websites for utilities: OFGEM, Citizens Advice, uSwitch, Green Energy Plans
- Paying your bills: Money Supermarket
Register for The Priority Services Register (PSR) which is a free service provided by suppliers and network operators to customers in need.
Keep warm in winter
There's a range of advice available if you struggle to keep warm in your home;
- Warm Home Discount Scheme - You could get £140 off your electricity bill
- Cold Weather Payment - You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest
- Keep warm and well this winter - guide
- Keep Warm 2019 - guide from HM Government
- NEA Warm and Safe Homes - guide
- Winter Fuel Payment - age related payment for those receiving state support
Heating system guides
These guides will give advice on how to use your energy equipment and prevent damp in your home;
- Electric storage heaters - guide | How To Get The Best Out of Your Storage Heaters - video
- Central heating system - guide
- Reading your meter - guide
- Energy tips - guide
- Damp & Condensation leaflet