Introduction
Follow our tips and advice for quick and easy ways to save energy, lower your bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Whether you’re a homeowner, a private or social renter, a student, or you live with your parents, there are many things you can do.
We’re all responsible for the energy we use in our homes. Take a look at our quick tips below and see how you could save up to £351 a year in Great Britain (GB) and £493 in Northern Ireland (NI) on your bills.
Need more help? Find out what support is available where you live.
Before you start
Understand your energy bill. The information on it may be confusing, but understanding your bill will help you know where you can save energy at home. This video from Home Energy Scotland can get you started.
Switch off standby
You can save around £45 in GB and £70 in NI annually just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. Standby savers allow you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go to save electricity.
Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.
Find out which appliances use the most energy in your home.
Draught-proof windows and doors
Unless your home is new, you’ll lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.
Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can save around £80 in GB and £100 in NI on annual energy bills. Getting professional help can cost around £250, but DIY draught proofing can be much cheaper.
Find out more about reducing home heat loss.
Turn off lights
Turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £7 in GB and £30 in NI on your annual energy bills.
Replacing all the lights in your home with LED bulbs could help you save even more.
Careful with your washing
You can save around £24 in GB and £36 in NI a year on your energy bill by making small changes in how you use your washing machine:
- Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures.
- Reduce your washing machine use by one run per week for a year.
Avoid the tumble dryer
Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes. Drying clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather can save you £50 in GB and £75 in NI a year.
Spend less time in the shower
Keeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £55 in GB and £70 in NI a year on their energy bills.
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SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
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Specific targets under those SDGs based on the article’s content:
- SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
- SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
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Indicators mentioned or implied in the article to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Energy savings in GBP (£) per year
- Reduction in annual energy bills in Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI)
- Reduction in carbon footprint
- Reduction in water usage
- Increase in energy efficiency
- Increase in the use of renewable energy options
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | – Energy savings in GBP (£) per year – Reduction in annual energy bills in GB and NI – Increase in energy efficiency |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | – Energy savings in GBP (£) per year – Reduction in annual energy bills in GB and NI – Reduction in carbon footprint – Reduction in water usage |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning | – Energy savings in GBP (£) per year – Reduction in annual energy bills in GB and NI – Reduction in carbon footprint – Increase in the use of renewable energy options |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: energysavingtrust.org.uk
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