6 Energy saving quick wins

1.  Switch off standby
   
   You can save around £30 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.  Almost all electrical and electronic appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. You may want to think about getting a standby saver which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go. Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.
   

2. Careful in your kitchen 

   You can save around £50 a year just by using your kitchen appliances more carefully: 
   
   - Use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £30 a year in energy bills.
   - Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need and save around £7 a year.
   - Cutback your washing machine use by just one cycle per week and save £5 a year on energy, and a further £8 a year on metered water bills.
   

3. Get a head 

   If you’ve got a shower that takes hot water straight from your boiler or hot water tank (rather than an electric shower), fit a water efficient shower head. This will reduce your hot water usage while retaining the sensation of a powerful shower.

   A water efficient shower head could save a four person household (eg a family of four or even a shared student flat) around £67 a year on gas for water heating, as well as a further £100 on water bills if they have a water meter. 
   

4. Spend less time in the shower

   Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save around £10 off your energy bills each year, per person. With a water meter this could save a further £10 off annual water and sewerage bills. If everyone in a four person family did this it would lead to a total saving of £80 a year.
   

5. Draught excluder
   
   Unless your home is very new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.  DIY draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £200, but can save up to £25 to £35 a year on energy bills.
   

6. Take control of your heating

   More than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. Having a room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves installed could save you between £80 and £165 a year. Even turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save between £85 and £90 a year.
   
   Whatever the age of your boiler the right controls will let you:
   
   
   - set your heating and hot water to come on and off when you need them
   - heat only the areas of your home that need heating
   - set the temperature for each area of your home.