In response to the issues with the energy market in 2021/22, Citizens Advice and the Energy Saving Trust have published some quick tips and advice to help people manage their energy bills.
What can I do to reduce my bills and energy use?
- Switch off appliances not in use - you can save around £40 a year just by turning your appliances off, rather than leaving them in standby mode. Find out which appliances use most energy in your home.
- Consider washing your clothes at a lower temperature. Washing laundry on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures saves energy, as less is required to heat the water.
- Only wash your clothes in your washing machine when you have a full load. Reducing your washing machine use by one run per week for a year could save you money.
- If possible, dry your clothes outside in the fresh air, instead of using a tumble dryer.
- Swap your bath for a shower, or spend less time in the shower. Find out how saving water at home can help your wallet and the environment.
- Turn your thermostat down by just one degree – this could save around £65 a year.
- Reduce the cost of hot water by setting your water heater to 54 degrees instead of the standard 60 degrees.
- Turn lights off when you’re not in the room. Replacing all the lights in your home with LED bulbs could help you save even more.
- Cook smart - put lids on pans, only boil as much water in the kettle as you need.
The Energy Saving Trust also recommend insulation and draught proofing. We focus on designing our homes with high quality insulation, heating and ventilation systems to ensure they achieve a minimum ‘B’ energy efficiency rating.
How does energy efficiency help the environment?
Energy efficiency means using less power to perform an action such as switching on and using a light, or to provide a service such as heating water.
Homes that use energy supplied from fossil fuels are responsible for significant emissions of carbon dioxide, and the race is on to reduce them and tackle climate change.
For more information on our approach to sustainability see our sustainability strategy.