Free or low cost ideas
In these tough financial times we all want to find ways to save money and if we can do our bit for the environment at the same time then that's even better.
Here are a selection of free or low cost ideas to help you save energy and money around the house:
Dodge the draught: Get a draught excluder - bring back the sausage dog! Draught proofing your doors, windows and even letterbox and key hole is a cheap and effective way of keeping those draughts at bay and could make a big difference to your heating bills. Available from all good DIY stores its simple and easy to fit yourself.
Get tariff savvy: Don't be swayed by power companies into signing up for the latest tariff which when you read the small print isn't the fabulous deal you thought it would be. Check if there are any better deals out there, try paying by direct debit and have an online account if possible to reduce your costs even further.
Boost your radiators!: Fitting radiator reflector panels behind your radiators on external walls helps to push heat out into the room and not up the wall. Make sure your furniture is moved away from your radiators or you'll be heating the back of your sofa and not the room.
Shut that door!: Remember to keep your internal doors closed to keep the heat in your rooms. If you're nipping into another room, even for a few moments, remember to shut the doors when you leave and enter a room. As quick as you might be, warm air can escape faster!
Be a curtain twitcher: Choose curtains which are lined and the right length so that you can tuck them behind your radiators, otherwise it takes longer for your room to heat up and you're paying for heat which is just escaping out of your windows. Blinds might be the latest window accessory but a pair of heavy lined curtains can be as thermally efficient as double glazing once drawn, so for that cosy feel opt for curtains.
Bright idea: When you're leaving a room remember to switch the light off, it's a simple tip but it's easy to leave lights on in every room and you end up looking like Blackpool illuminations! Fit low energy lightbulbs wherever possible, particularly in hard to reach places as they can last up to 10 years and save you money compared to normal bulbs.
Totally tropical: Check your room thermostat isn't set too high. The recommended temperature for your main living rooms is between 18 and 21 degrees centigrade. Anything higher than that will be expensive to run, but don't be tempted to turn your thermostat down too much as cold temperatures for any length of time can have a bad effect on your health. Use your programmer for central heating as having the heating going on and off during the day is much cheaper than having it on low all the time.
Master Chef: Use the right sized hob for your saucepan, remember, any flames sneaking up the side of the pan or any uncovered area on an electric hob is cooking thin air. Keeping the lid on a pan when you're cooking saves energy and helps cook things quicker.
Money down the drain!: Fill a sink rather than washing under a running tap, you're paying to heat all the water that is just escaping down your plug hole.
Be Cool: Keep the fridge door closed whenever possible, don't put hot food in the fridge and keep your freezer fully stocked so it doesn't have to work so hard at maintaining the temperature.
Are you standing by?: Leaving your TV, stereo, radio or games system on standby can still use between 75 and 90 per cent of the electricity it uses when it is fully on, crazy!
Put that kettle on: Overfilling the kettle is so easy to do, but just remember that you pay to heat all the water up and then later when you want another cup of tea you pay to heat the same water up again!
Ghost buster!: A mobile phone charger left plugged in is still drawing a 'phantom' load, so it's costing you money even when it's not charging anything.
If you are a private tenant or homeowner and would like more information on grants and discounted schemes to insulate properties please visit the grants page.
If you are a landlord and would like more information on grants and discounted schemes to insulate properties please visit the Landlords page
If you are a Rykneld Homes tenant and would like to report faults with your heating system or have an insulation enquiry please call the Repairs hotline on 08000 121 621 or call into your local Housing Office.
| ||||||
Advertisements
Advertising Policy - The inclusion of an advertisement on this site does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by NEDDC.
