Around 31 percent of all energy used in the UK is accounted for by energy used in the home. In the average UK home this splits roughly as: 60 percent for space heating, 25 percent for hot water for washing and 13 percent for lighting and electrical appliances.
Insulate
Insulation makes an enormous difference to the cost of heating and should be top of your list of energy-saving measures. See our video guide on how to insulate your home for more advice.
Turn off
It might seem like a little thing, but turning off the main lights when you're not in the room makes a big difference to our overall energy consumption.
Don't forget all the other energy guzzlers, like laptops, printers, scanners, speakers, routers and keyboards. You don't have to know what all these things do to understand that they make our homes even more power-hungry.
Turn them off properly – don't just leave them in standby mode. Basically, if it's got a little light on – turn it off.
Energy saving light bulbs
Energy saving bulbs use 80 percent less power than normal light bulbs but produce the same amount of light.
For each bulb you change you'll be cutting your CO2 output by 26 grams per year, plus saving around £7 on your electricity bill. They also last ten times longer than normal bulbs, so get swapping!
Get a greenhouse gas meter
Another good way of preserving energy is to buy an electricity-saving meter. This will tell you how many kilos of greenhouse gases your house is consuming per hour, so you can work out which appliances are using the most energy.
Changing to a green electricity supplier
Changing to a green electricity supplier is something everyone can do; it only takes a few minutes online.
Install renewable energy sources
You can start generating your own electricity at home using solar panels, ground source heat systems, biomass or even wind turbines. Be aware however that savings are likely to be made over a number of years, so this is an investment that you need to be committed to for the long run.
Follow these simple steps and you'll notice a huge difference in your energy consumption at home, your bills will be lower and you'll be helping to preserve the environment. Now go with a clear conscience and enjoy your greener home!
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