How To: Five Small Changes To Make Big Energy Savings

Saving energy isn’t just a money thing, it massively reduces the impact your house has on the environment! So, here are five top tips for you to help your household (and the planet)…

Shower saver

Did you know, spending one minute less in the shower each day can save up to £5 a year, per person, from energy bills? Shorter showers and turning the tap off while you brush your teeth are sure fire ways to keep energy costs down, but there are other simple ways to save water too. If your hot water takes a while to heat up, why not put a container under the running tap and then use that cold water for watering your plants, or rinsing fruit and veg!

Switch on, switch off

It’s probably the most obvious, but turn your switches off when you’re not using them! Turn off your lights and your appliances when you leave a room. And, if you can, make a switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. They use up to 80% less electricity than standard bulbs, and last longer too. 

Go eco

As much as you can, try and buy organic. These food items have the lowest impact on the environment when it comes to the supply chain. And see if you can also find eco-friendly alternatives for your toiletries, cleaning supplies, clothing and beauty products too. And don’t forget to put all your shopping in a reusable bag too!

Keep the cold out

Most homes have a draught or two, whether it’s from single pane glass, gaps in the floor or a squeaky door. This means you’re likely to lose heat. So, it’s a good idea to find ways to keep the warm in - keep your curtains closed, put a rolled up towel at the bottom of your door, chuck an extra blanket on your bed, and make sure to wear some thick socks! By doing things like this instead of cranking the heating up, you’ll save money and feel cosy at the same time. Win, win!

Back to back wash

It might seem like it’s a lot, but actually doing all your laundry in one go actually helps save energy. Especially if you have a washer dryer. A dryer uses up the most energy to get warm in the first place, so if you can do multiple loads one after the other, it won’t have to heat up too much on each go. 

What tips do you have to save energy over the cold months? Let us know on our socials over at @NCS!