Energy Saving Tips

Tips on how to save energy across your home:

Shopping

Shop ethically. Refer to our list of services and producers.

Don’t buy MDF; buy Forestry Sustainable Commission (FSC) logo wood and/or use reclaimed wood.

Recycle / Reduce / Reuse. Reduce the amount of consumer goods you buy. Buy products that are built to last. Use charity shops and car boot sales. Buy recycled products wherever possible.

Eliminate junk-mail: Contact Mailing Preference Service: www.mpsonline.org.uk

Buy products with the least packaging, query shops about excessive packaging.

Avoid non recyclable drink cartons.Buy bottled products that are refillable, ie. laundry liquid.

Use an ethical bank that does not fund environmental destruction.

Kitchen

Use environmentally friendly washing powder/washing up liquid and other products.

Only use the washing machine with a full load and wash at lower temperatures.

Use the right size saucepan and use a lid.

Only boil the amount of water you need.

Drink tap water, you’ve already paid for it and it’s better quality than most bottled waters.

Use mugs instead of disposable cups.

To produce vegetarian food uses less water than the production of meat.

Choose British beef burgers! Help save destruction of the Amazonian rainforest.Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables.Compost vegetable kitchen waste.

Avoid air miles - buy locally-grown, organic food.

Check your fridge thermostat. If it’s cooler than 3OC it wastes energy, money and creates more greenhouse gases.

Avoid using plastic carrier bags.

Bathroom

Buy recycled toilet paper.

Don’t leave the tap on when you are cleaning your teeth.

Put a brick or filled water bottle in your toilet cistern.Short showers use less energy and water than baths.

Choose environmentally friendly products for cleaning the bathroom.

Electricity

Change your electricity supplier to one that uses renewable energy.

Don’t leave electrical appliances on stand-by, turn them off.

Fit energy efficient light bulbs. Not on dimmer switches. Switch lights off when you leave a room.

Buy the most efficient electrical appliances when replacing goods.

Hang your clothes up to dry. Avoid using a tumble dryer.

Consider a wind up torch or radio.

Heating

Insulate your home.

Replace old boilers with an energy efficient one.

Turn your heating thermostat down. For example, every 1OC you turn the thermostat down you will save 10% on your heating bill.

Invest in thermostatic radiator valves and turn radiators down in unoccupied rooms.

Computers

Buy recycled computer paper and refill cartridges.

Recycle computers and recycle old mobile phones - donate to African charities.

Switch off the monitor when not in use.

Garden

Grow your own fruit and vegetables at home or rent an allotment.

Use a water barrel to catch rain water, it’s better for watering the garden.

Encourage wildlife as much as possible. Set aside an area which allows nature to take over.

Avoid using hosepipes for the car or garden.

Further info

Savings Trust, www.est.org.uk/myhomeEnergy  0800 512012

Your Local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre www.energy.gov

US Department of Energy, 001 202 586 5000

Severn Wye Energy Agency, www.swea.co.uk  01594 545360

www.bbc.co.uk/climate 0800 044044

Gloucestershire County Council, www.gloucestershire.gov.uk  01452 425000

The Carbon Trust www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy, 0800 0852005

Stop Climate Chaos, www.stopclimatechaos.org , 0207 7298732

Campaign against Climate Change, www.campaigncc.org  0207 8339311