Switch off appliances like TVs and mobile phone chargers rather than leaving them on standby (a quarter of the cost of your TV’s electricity is just for keeping it on standby):A staggering amount of the Nation's electricity bills is spent on standby power; all the appliances left plugged in and ‘half-on’ when not used are costing the UK in excess of £230 million every year! By switching off at the plug when not required you could save about 8% off your electricity bill.
Here’s our dirty dozen:
Mobile phone charger
C2.omputer, monitor, printer and internet box
Television
DVD Player / VCR
Digibox and aerial booster / Satellite Box
Stereo, radios and Hi-Fi Equipment
Power tool chargers
Tumble Drier and washing machine
Dishwasher
Microwave oven
Games console
Electric toothbrush / shaver charger
-Can you think of any more?
tip: An extension lead can make switching off at the socket easier, but take care never to overload the socket. You can get nifty devices that let you switch off all your computer peripherals together so you don't forget.
The kitchen is responsible for a large proportion of home energy consumption. Here are some tips to help keep a lid on it:
Put a lid on pans when you put them on to boil and when using a frying pan loosely cover with foil. This will reduce cooking time and prevent so much condensation build-up too.
Use the right size pan for the food and cooker ring - the base of your pan should just cover the cooking ring, if you can see the heat (either the electric ring or the gas flame up the side of the pan) it's too big and is costing you money. Cooking with a pressure cooker saves even more energy than using a normal pan.
Boil only the amount of water you need. Every cup you boil represents 25 cups of CO2 released and you are paying more than you need to boil it.
Where possible use the most efficient cooking method. We suggest that by choosing the most efficient appliance, you can reduce fuel used; Grill food rather than oven-bake if appropriate and microwave certain foods rather than cook them on the hob
In the fresh - Enjoy fresh bread instead of always toasting. Eat fresh raw food instead of always cooking and eat more salads in summer
Fridges and freezers. Make sure all food is cooled down before it goes in the fridge or freezer. Defrost your freezer regularly and dust the 'radiator' at the back to keep it running efficiently (especially often if you have pets). Well-stocked fridges and freezers need less energy than empty ones do.
Use the lowest temperature setting appropriate on your washing machine and always wash a full load. Wasting space = wasted energy and pointless CO2 emissions. All modern detergents are designed to clean successfully at 40°C.
On a nice day hang your washing outside instead of using a tumble dryer. Every time you use a tumble dryer you use enough electricity to emit over 1.5kg CO2. Typically, a tumble dryer will be responsible for emitting about 140kg of CO2 annually and is adding about £50 to your electricity bill.
Here are some more suggestions:
Give up ironing! Have a rest and look for easy care clothes instead.
Open the curtains to make the most of available natural light and avoid painting rooms in dark colours
Sweep floors if you can instead of vacuuming. Vacuum cleaners are particularly energy-hungry and are usually the next highest power consumer in the home after water heaters!