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Whether you’re an eco-warrior or simply worried about your wallet, there are plenty of reasons why you might be wondering how to save energy. Luckily for you, there are eight top tips to save energy right here. So if you’re not sure where to start, all you need to do is read on!
Try to make sure that every load of laundry you do is as full as possible. This isn’t just a great way to save energy – it helps you to save water, too!
1) Switch Devices Off at the Plug
The top tips on how to save energy are all about the devices many of us now use all the time – phones, laptops, tablets, TVs, and so on. Turning things off when you’re not using them is just common sense, especially if you’re trying to save energy, but did you know that this applies to chargers as well? Even if they’re not connected to anything, these devices might be consuming energy, so the safest thing to do is to switch them off at the plug.
2) Shut Down, Don’t Stand By!
Many electrical items such as TVs and desktop computers have a standby mode, where they power down when not in use. Don’t be fooled, though – a device in standby mode often uses nearly as much energy as it does when it’s switched on! If you’re looking for tips to save energy, try making sure that you switch mains-powered devices off if you’re not likely to use them for the next hour or more.
3) Use the Right Sized Tool for the Job
You might think it makes no difference whether you use a big or small pan for your cooking but think again. If you use a bigger pan than you need, more energy will be used to heat it up all the way. Try to match the size of the flame to the size of the pan to save energy while heating your food.
4) Fill Your Oven Each Time You Use It
If you’re looking at how to save energy while you’re cooking, look to your oven. It takes a lot of energy to heat an oven and keep it running at the required temperature. If you have the time and the ingredients, consider cooking more than one dish at a time and setting the extras aside for another day. You’ll use less energy heating the oven for each individual meal, and you could also save yourself some time after a busy day.
5) Wash Your Clothes at a Lower Temperature
Unless you need to sterilise an item of clothing, there’s no need to wash anything at above 40 degrees. Wondering how to save energy at home? Wash as many clothes as possible at 30 degrees. Your wash will consume less energy, and your machine may last longer as a result.
6) Use Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
One of the most common tips on how to save energy is to use energy-saving light bulbs. These days, energy-saving light bulbs are easy to find, cost only a little more than standard ones, and usually last years longer. Though it’s always a good idea to turn off the lights in rooms you’re not using, leaving energy-saving bulbs turned on by accident is much less of a problem for your energy bill and the environment.
7) Only Use the Water You Need
If you’re boiling water for tea or coffee, you can save energy by only using the water you need. The more you fill your kettle or pan, the more energy you’ll need to heat all of it. So, if you’re wondering how to save energy at home, this is an easy way to go about it – it’ll save you time, as well!
8) Plant a Tree
Here’s one of the more interesting tips to save energy: If your house has an outdoor space attached to it, a tree will help shade the sunniest spot when it’s hot outside. The shade it creates will not only give you a lovely, cool spot to sit on but also keep the worst of the midday sun away from the house. Not everyone has this option, but if you can plant a tree, you could save energy you might otherwise be using to power a fan or an air conditioning unit.
Key Steps:
Switching things off at the mains is the only way to be sure that your electrical outlets aren’t consuming any energy – even if they’re not connected to anything
Always switch things off rather than leaving them on standby mode
Make sure that you do full loads of laundry and cook bigger, fuller meals in your oven where possible – this makes the best possible use of the energy you’re using!