Fairford Environmental Society

How to reduce energy consumption in the Home

• Use energy-saving lightbulbs. It will save plenty of energy and you'll hardly notice the difference.
• Turn the lights off. If you're not in a room there is no use in it being all lit up.
• Switch things off at the wall when they're not being used. Wireless networks and free view boxes, for example, don't need to be on at night when everyone is asleep. Likewise, phone and laptop chargers don't need to be on if the object they're charging is already full of juice.
• Don't leave your television on standby. The TV is unlikely to be very far from the sofa; it doesn't take much effort to stand up and switch it on manually.
• Turn thermostats down and put on a jumper. Even reducing the temperature of your house by a mere 1° can make a big difference. If this makes you feel a little chilly, put on some more clothes or move around a bit. If icicles start forming in your living room however, you’ve gone a bit too far.
• Conserve heat. If lots of fuel has been burnt to make your house toasty warm make sure that it doesn't immediately escape. Use draught excluders by front and back doors, close curtains (especially those directly by radiators) and try not to open doors and windows too much.
• If you're not using a room, don't heat it. Simply close the door and save your pennies for better things.
• Lag your hot water tank. This doesn't have to be done expensively; an old sleeping bag wrapped around it all works just fine.
• Insulate your house properly. If your house doesn't already have loft and cavity wall insulation, consider getting this done. Although this could be expensive to do you’ll see an instant reduction in your energy bills and in many cases financial help is available. Try contacting your energy company or calling the government's Warm and Well scheme on 0800 512 012 to see if you qualify.
• Get double glazed windows. Again, expensive at first but they will make your house so much warmer.
• Only run dishwashers and washing machines when they're full. One full load uses less energy than two half loads. And while you're at it, try using a lower temperature wash - if the water is cooler then less energy will have been used in heating it up.
• Turn off your cooker a few minutes before the end of your cooking time. If you don't open the oven door the heat will be retained and will finish off your dinner quite nicely without burning any further fuel.
• Put lids on your saucepans. This will prevent energy escaping out into the air as you cook.
• When using a kettle, only boil the amount of water you need. Kettles are one of the most energy-hungry appliances in the house, and everyone in the country tends to put them on at the same time, resulting in spikes in demand at certain times (such as at the end of Eastenders). Most kettles have scales up the side to show how full they are, take note of these so that you measure out the correct amount.
• Avoid using tumble dryers. Let clothes dry naturally or place them on radiators during the winter. If you do your washing in plenty of time you shouldn't end up with nothing dry to wear.
• Take showers rather than baths. You'll use much less water and therefore much less energy heating it up.
• Borrow things rather than buying them. Does everyone on your street really need a hedge cutter, for example? Ask nicely and repay favours and you could save a lot of cash.
• Fix broken things rather than throwing them away. Manufacturing products takes a lot of energy, so if at all possible fix what you already have.
Reuse and recycle. Reusing things is best as it doesn't need any extra energy. If this isn't possible, recycle. Cotswold District Council collect paper, tins and glass from the doorstep. There are recycling facilities at most supermarkets, which have bins for other items such as aluminium foil, old clothes and shoes. Also consider giving still-working but unwanted items away, either to people you know or through schemes such as Freecycle.
• Buy electricity from a company dedicated to renewables. There are several now in e xistence, with Ecotricity and Good Energy being two examples. The price you end up paying for these is unlikely to be very different from what you currently pay.
• Produce your own energy. Solar panels or a wind turbine could allow you to become self-sufficient. See one of the website links at the end of this booklet for more information.

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