Top tips for saving energy around the home

Following recent rises in fuel bills and cost of living expenses, the Welsh Government Warm Homes initiative and the Nest scheme have published a list of easy, practical ways that residents of Bridgend County Borough can save up to £260 a year.

Try following these simple steps around the home which are designed to keep you safe and comfortable while saving money on your energy bills.

Wash at 30°C

If you set your washing machine to wash at 30°C rather than a higher temperature, you will save £10 a year.

Keep the heat in

Draught proofing windows, doors and crevices in your property will prevent heat from escaping and save you around £30 a year on bills.

Turn it off

Turning lights off when you are not using them will save around £14 on annual energy bills.

Dry your clothes outdoors

You can save at least £40 a year in electricity by using a washing line to dry clothes instead of a tumble dryer.

Take a shorter shower

Having a four-minute shower could save you £18 per person a year, so a family of four stands to save £72.

Go LED

Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs will save at least £35 a year.

Boiling water

If you fill the kettle up with only as much water as you need, you will save £8 a year.

Dial it down

Turning the thermostat down by just 1°C will save around £65 per year. If you have a timer, set your heating and hot water to come on when you are at home, and make sure your thermostat is between 18°C and 21°C.

Take charge

Turning off electronics, lights and chargers at the plug instead of leaving them in standby mode will save around £40 a year.

For more free tips, visit the Nest website and download the free Top Tips for Saving Energy guide.