Household Energy Saving Tips -

Household Energy Saving Tips

Save Energy – Save Money – Help the Environment

Light, Electrical Appliances & Energy Tips:

Turn lights on only when you need them and turn off when you leave the room.
Keep your lamps and lamp shades dust free – more light in less time.
If you want lighten your lighting bill, replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescents and LED lighting.
On outdoor security lighting use timers or motion sensors. They run only when required.

In general, the most energy efficient HD televisions are LED followed by LCD and then Plasma.
Switch off and save up. When you leave the TV on standby it can use up to half the electricity in standby as when switched on.
Be smart with your computer, use energy saving mode and turn it off when not in use.
If you want save up to 20% on your electricity bill try using a home energy monitoring device. It can help you to manage your energy consumption.
When replacing a home appliance always chose an appliance with the highest energy efficiency rating. It is a good choice for your wallet and for the environment.
Plug out mobile phone chargers when not in use

Kitchen & Laundry Tips:

Use lids on your saucepans. The food will be tastier and it will reduce the cooking time.
Cook several items of food at one time. Use pans that can divide into sections or use the different temperatures of the space in oven (hotter on top, cooler below).
When you use the oven resist the temptation to check every minute! 20% of the heat escapes each time you open the door!
Slow cookers and pressure cookers save energy.
When using the kettle boil only the quantity of water you need. It is better for the bill, for the environment and for your health. Over-boiled water has a high concentration of limestone.
Stop the dishwasher before the drying cycle and open the door to let the dishes air-dry.
If you put hot food into fridge or freezer, they will have to work extra hard to cool it. You can let the food cool first and then put it in the fridge or freezer.
Defrost your freezer at least every 6 months and check your fridge and freezers door seals.
Put a full load in the washing machine if you can and use the lowest water temperature required. In this way you can save the money and save the fibres – your clothes remain new longer.
Iron smart – you should do the low temperature clothes first and the high temperature clothes last.
Weather permitting dry your clothes outside on the line. In Ireland, the weather doesn’t always permit this (though we’ve had a good run!!). If using a tumble dryer, dry heavy and light articles separately and turn the dryer off as soon as the clothes are dry.

Heating Tips:

When going away, turn off your central heating and set the timer to warm the house up for your return. Switch off heating before you go to bad. The radiators will continue to heat your home for some time.
Use time clocks to ensure the heating system works only when you need. With central heating systems use zone controls where necessary and fit thermostatic radiator valves to all radiators.
Turn heating thermostat down by 1°C can save you up to 10% on your annual heating costs. Room thermostats should be set on 18°C for the bedroom, and on 20°C for the living room.
Your boiler is heart of an efficient heating system. You should have it serviced annually to ensure it is working as efficiently as possible.
Ensure your house is well insulated. Double glazing and loft & external wall insulation are fundamental for saving money and for keeping your house warm. Improving your insulation is one of the best investments you can make in your home.
Carpets or rugs are good to insulate floors.
In cooler weather, keep the windows and doors closed – save the heat!
Curtains – close at night and open during the day. This little trick will help you to improve your house temperature management.
If you have a chimney but you don’t use or use occasionally you can fit a removable chimney cover to cut down the air infiltration.
Before you turn on your central heating…put on a jumper!
Radiators: to deflect heat back into a room place a shelf or longer window ledge over the radiator. For the same reason fit reflective foil-backed insulation behind it if it is on the external wall.

Water Heating Tips:

If your boiler is more than 10 years old, to plan to replace it. The modern ones are significantly more energy efficient. Older boilers operate at lower efficiency levels; on average 60% – 70% which means you are wasting heat and money.
To avoid overheating water put a thermostat to your hot water cylinder.
Lag your hot water pipes where you can and fit an insulating jacket on your hot water cylinder. For best results replace your existing hot water cylinder with a cylinder with factory applied insulation.
Take a shower rather than a bath. Usually an electric shower uses only one fifth of the energy of a full bath.
To save water and energy you should use a low flow shower head.
Use radiant heat lamps to heat the bathroom area rather than fan heaters.
If you use spray taps, you can reduce the amount of hot water you use.

You can also save Energy at work. If you are interested in training in this area, view our range of Energy Management training courses – many of which are accredited.