More no-cost tips - Turn off lights, appliances and heating when leaving rooms.
- Close curtains, windows and doors at sunset (and use draught stoppers or rolled-up towels to stop draughts under doorways).
- Turn off your hot water cylinder if away for 2 weeks or more.
- Wash full loads of laundry in cold water and dry clothes outside on the line.
- Use your microwave instead of your oven if possible.
- Have shorter showers instead of baths.
- Only use the dishwasher when full and on eco-cycle
- Dry your towels on the line when it's sunny or in a warm room over the back of a chair instead of a towel rail.
- Make sure insulation fits snugly, as gaps as small as 2 mm can reduce its performance by as much as 50%.
More low-cost things you can do- Use energy-efficient lightbulbs (they use about 75% less power and last up to 10 times longer than normal bulbs).
- Replace old or thin curtains and put up thermal-backed, full-length ones.
- Fill in air gaps around plumbing pipes and electrical cables, windows and doors with caulking (sealant).
- Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes if they are warm to touch.
- Fit draught strips on windows and external doors.
- Install low-flow shower heads (they give decent showers using half the water).
- If you have a ceiling fan with winter/reverse setting, use it to distribute heat - especially if you have high ceilings and a woodburner.
- Use thermostats and timers to control heaters so you are only heating when you need to.
- Choose task lighting for work areas (e.g. lamps for paperwork) and background lighting for other areas.
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