LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 03/19/12 — With the impact of climate change on the environment, and the rising costs of household utility bills, saving energy is a topic of concern for all of us. There are many ways in which you can save energy within your home without spending any money, but knowing where to start can be confusing. As well as the new incentives constantly being launched, and the increasing numbers of environmentally-friendly appliances hitting the market, many power suppliers are now offering a range of money-saving tariffs.
Take one small step
Starting small and gradually easing yourself into energy-saving habits may be the best bet if you are unsure where to begin saving money. With figures from uSwitch revealing that householders could save GBP 70 a year by opting to heat their homes a degree lower, turning your thermostat down by one degree is a simple way to start. Adjusting the timings on your thermostat so that your house is not being heated when you–re not home – or setting you heating to turn off half an hour before you leave the house, as opposed to when you walk out the door – could increase your energy savings further. Devices left on standby are still using energy, so make sure you unplug them from the mains when not in use. Making the most use of heaters by ensuring they are not covered or blocked by furniture will also allow warm air to circulate more effectively.
Habits for a lifetime
Adopting these small changes over time can lead to a reduction in your power consumption and energy wastage, and will show visible results on your gas and electricity bills. According to figures by detergent manufacturers Ariel, 80% of the energy used by a typical washing machine is used to heat the water. By switching to a cooler cycle, you could reduce the energy you use by as much as to 40%. Air-drying laundry instead of using energy-hungry tumble dryers will also substantially reduce your consumption. Showering rather than bathing means less water is heated by , and using traditional shower heads rather than power-shower types could cut the amount of heated water generated.
Keep in touch with power suppliers
Energy companies are offering more and more tariffs to give consumers greater control over their energy bills. To get the best plan for you, keep updated with those available via leading suppliers. Whilst many prefer the reassurance of a fixed-price deal, others may benefit from flexible schemes that are more appropriate to their needs. Read up on any insurance policies you have for heating appliances, as these could include free, regular servicing and tips on reducing your energy usage further.
Contacts:
Felicity Callaghan
+44 (0)7769 542 360