Saving Money

Lower Your Bills: How To Save Money and Energy

A quick guide showing you how to save money and energy with these simple green practices
There are some simple things you can do to save money on heating and lighting your house. You can get a free energy check from the Energy Saving Trust. It will show you how you could save up to £250 a year on your household bills.

Check your cisterns every three months
Faulty ball or float valves in toilets and header tanks waste water.

Run only full loads
Use your dishwasher and washing machine only if there is a full load. These appliances are some of the most energy-intensive in your home. Only rinse dishes in the dishwasher if you really need to.

A new boiler
You could save up to £200 a year fitting a new efficient condensing boiler. Also by fitting thermostats on your radiators.

Use a bowl
When washing up or preparing vegetables in the sink, don't let the tap run.

Fit a save-a-flush
This water-saving device saves 1 litre (2 pints) of water every time you flush. It costs about £1 and could save you 10% on your water bill.

Use a bucket of water to wash your car
If you are on a water meter save water when cleaning your car by using a bucket of soapy water and a sponge rather than a hosepipe. Or use the hose briefly just to rinse off the soap.

Fix dripping taps
A dripping tap could fill half a bath in a week. If it is the hot-water tap, it will also waste energy and cost you money.

Boiler servicing
By not servicing your boiler regularly you risk having to spend money on a costly emergency call-out if it stops working in the depths of winter.

Keep cool water in a covered jug
Put the jug in the fridge so you don't have to run the tap for a long time to get a cold drink. Change the water every day.

Take a shower
A quick shower uses 20% of the water a bath does, but watch out - power showers use about the same amount of hot water as a bath.

Turn down your thermostat
Just one degree lower cuts heating bills by 10% - or 10p in the pound.

Block chimneys
If you're not using your fireplace, block the chimney with newspaper to prevent heat loss.

Standby costs money
TVs, DVDs, sound systems and especially computers all use electricity on standby. Get in the habit of switching them off and save £10 a year.

Turn your central heating off half an hour early
The house will stay warm until you are in bed. In an average 3-bed semi you'll save at least £20 a year.

Insulation
If you don't have insulation in your loft you could be wasting more than £100 a year through heat escaping. You should also lag your hot water tank and pipes.

Draughtproofing
A cheap, cost-effective way to save money is to draughtproof your home. In a typical home 20% of heat is lost through poor ventilation and draughts.

Wall and floor insulation
As well as insulating your roof and installing double-glazing you should insulate your walls and floors. Saving your another £100 per year.

Install double glazing
If you don't have double-glazing you could be losing more than £100 of energy through your windows each year.

Reduce your hot water temperature
Turn it down to 60°C (140°F) and save between £10 and £20 a year.

Turn off lights
Get your family into the habit of turning off electrical devices when they leave a room.

Close your curtains
Stop heat escaping, especially if you don't have double-glazed windows.