energy saving tips
Save energy in and around your home with the following tips from the Broadland Energy Team:
lighting and electrical appliances
kitchen and bathroom
- Use the toaster rather than the grill
- Keep lids on saucepans when cooking
- Chopping food into small pieces cooks it faster
- Choose the right size pan for the cooker ring
- Switch off the cooker as soon as you have finished cooking
- Allow hot food to cool quickly before putting into the fridge
- Use a microwave instead of an oven if convenient
- Only fill your kettle with the water you are going to use
- Load / unload fridge / freezer as quickly as you can
- Regularly defrost your fridge and freezer
- Try to keep your freezer full to prevent cooling empty space.
- Use the shower instead of the bath
- Use a plug when running hot water
- Put full loads in the washing machine or use the half load setting
- Use the economy setting on the washing machine
- Fill the tumble dryer with a full load and make sure it's vented
- Put washing out to dry on warm, dry days
- If you are drying clothes indoors use a clothes horse rather than a radiator
lighting and electrical appliances
- Turn off lights that aren't in use
- Turn off lights in empty rooms
- Keep light shades/bulbs clean for maximum light output
- Use low energy bulbs where possible - they can save 80% compared with incandescent bulbs
- Avoid leaving the TV on standby, it wastes your money
heating
- Turn down central heating by 1ºC to save 10% on fuel bills
- If you're too hot turn your room thermostat down rather than opening a window
- Set hot water thermostat (on cylinder) to 60ºC/140ºF
- Block off chimneys you don't use but ensure adequate ventilation
- Ensure all air vents are left unblocked
- Put foil behind radiators to reflect heat into the room
- Wall to wall carpets reduce heat loss
- Fill gaps in skirting boards with a flexible filler
- Have your boiler checked annually
- If you need to replace your boiler, a condensing boiler would save your fuel
- Avoid using calor gas and paraffin heaters, they cause condensation
- Is your heating fully controllable? A central heating programmer increases energy efficiency
- Time your central heating to switch off 1 hour before leaving for work
- Time your central heating to switch on 30 minutes before returning home
- Make sure the electricity tariff you are on is the right one for your system
- Don't let curtains hang in front of radiators
- Thick curtain linings reduce heat loss
- Close curtains at dusk to retain heat
- Keep internal doors closed to reduce draughts
- Allow adequate ventilation to avoid condensation
insulation measures
- Insulate all hot water pipes to prevent heat loss
- Ensure your loft insulation is 270mm thick
- Ensure that cavity walls have been insulated
- Always have a thick hot water jacket fitted
- Have all external doors and windows draught proofed
- Ensure your loft hatch is draught proofed to prevent heat escaping
related pages
norfolk climate change strategy
contact us
| Energy Team |
|---|
| Broadland District Council Thorpe Lodge 1 Yarmouth Road Thorpe St Andrew Norwich NR7 0DU |
| tel: 01603 430627 |
| fax: 01603 430616 |
| email: energy@broadland.gov.uk |