With energy costs rising, there has never been a better time to tackle your energy bills.
While big changes are needed to the UK’s housing stock, there are some quick changes you can make which can bring many benefits.
You can:
When it comes to being savvy with energy, you should:
You can check if you are eligible for a Better Homes grant for improved insulation or boilers on our schemes and grants page.
Read our guides to find out more:
Heating and hot water makes up over half your bill and so a big part of your carbon footprint. If you have them, using your thermostat and heating timers to heat only when you need it could cut your carbon emissions by 300kg, equivalent to 200 deep baths. Turning radiators off in any rooms that are not needed can also help save.
The saving per year for an average home is £70.
18 degrees is the recommended temperature for corridors, and 21 degrees for rooms you are sitting in. If your thermostat is set higher than that, try turning it down by one degree, which will also reduce your carbon footprint by 300kg.
The saving per year for an average home is £55.
Lightbulbs are small but mighty, making up 15 per cent of your home energy bill. It is common sense to switch lights off when you do not need them, but you can up your energy saving by switching to LED bulbs too.
The saving per year for an average home is £41.
If you have a hot water cylinder in your home fit it with an insulating jacket, which costs about £15. By increasing the thickness of the jacket from 25mm to 80mm, or three inches, you will be locking in the warmth.
The saving per year for an average home is £18.
Turn off plug sockets to stop electricity flowing into chargers and appliances when they are not in use. Smart plugs can turn off hard-to-reach plugs off using your smartphone and tell you which of your appliances use the most energy.
The saving per year for an average home is £35.
Foam or brush strips will block up gaps in windows, or get crafty and make a draught excluder for doors. Stuff a pair of tights with scraps of local treated sheep's wool, add some rice to weigh it down, cut off an old trouser leg, put the tights inside it and sew up either end. If you have an open chimney you do not use, a chimney draught excluder stops heat escaping.
The saving per year for an average home is £43.
Dishwasher and washing machines make up 10% of household energy bills, so washing only when full and at 30 degrees uses 57% less energy. Cutting just one cycle per week helps save. Stack your dishwasher as efficiently as possible or use a washing up bowl if doing dishes by hand.
The saving per year for an average home is £23.
Could you swap baths for showers? Spending one less minute in the shower could save shave £47 off your water bill if you are on a meter. The optimal time to spend in the shower is four minutes, so try cutting down a minute at a time or pick your favourite four-minute song.
The saving per year for an average home is £47.
Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need by using the cup indicator in your kettle or filling a cup you are using with the water you need, then pour it into the kettle.
The saving per year for an average home is £6.
Prices were correct before the energy price rise in April 2022.
Now is the time to find out what support you are entitled to.
Speak to Warm and Well in North Yorkshire who can provide advice and support specific to your situation. Call 01609 767 555 or visit the Warm and Well website.