Heating: Easy Ways to Cut Your Bills

Extra energy saving tips

• Don't boil too much. Only put enough water in the kettle for the drink you're making. According to Green Energy UK, if just 15 families filled their kettles in this way, they would save a whole tonne of carbon every year.
• Put a lid on it! When cooking, keep all lids on and oven doors closed. More than 20% of the heat can be lost each time you open the oven door. Similarly, water boils up to 6% faster with a lid on the pan. Also remember that you can save money by boiling water in the kettle rather than on the hob.
• Use energy-saving light bulbs throughout your home. You can save around £50 per bulb on your electricity bills, according to website GoGreenLights. It offers a whole range of energy-saving light bulbs at very reasonable prices - and to make you feel even better, they donate all their profits to Oxfam.
• Avoid tumble dryers. They sap energy quicker than daytime TV shows drain you of the will to live. A clothes line, if you have space, is still the most efficient and cheapest option. If you don't have outside space, get an indoor airer. Argos has one for £9.79.  
• Fill your washing machine. Washing with a half-full machine actually costs you about the same as washing a full load. The average British family washes around 247 loads a year, so it's definitely worth waiting until you have a full machine and doing fewer washes overall.
• Washing at lower temperatures will also save you money. It’s heating the water that uses most of the energy, so try to wash at 30 rather than 40 degrees.
• Switch it off. Leaving appliances (like TVs, PCs, DVD players and set-top boxes) on standby is believed to waste an estimated 15% of the world’s domestic electricity per year. Have a look at the intellipanel from Lakeland. It will automatically turn your off your appliances once you've finished using them. Clever eh?