Energy Saving Tips 2
Did you know that each year, video recorders and televisions consume around £150 million worth of electricity while on standby mode? That's according to the EST.Saving electricity is a double win because it saves money and harmful greenhouse emissions at the same time. Roughly speaking, a £360 electricity bill equates to 1000kg of CO2 and would fill six Double Decker buses.
Here's our guide to saving energy in the home without spending a penny:
• "Say goodbye to standby"
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:
1. Mobile phone charger
2. Computer, monitor, printer and Internet box
3. Television
4. DVD player/VCR
5. Digibox and aerial booster/Satellite box
6. Stereo, radios and Hi-Fi equipment
7. Power tool chargers
8. Tumble drier and washing machine
9. Dishwasher
10. Microwave oven
11. Games console
12. 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.
•
Saving energy in the kitchen is straightforward and easy.
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
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.
• 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.
• 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!
