Most households could save hundreds of pounds a year by going eco – here are a few top tips to help.

LED

Start with the big-savings projects and put LED lighting at the top of that list. A recent poll by Energy Live News showed that professional energy managers in the UK have made LED lighting retrofits a priority over the past year and a top target for the next 12 months.

With that validation, it makes sense to invest in a full swap-out of traditional lighting as soon as possible to start making energy savings of up to 90%. And quality LED lamps can have an incredibly long life; lasting up to 50,000 hours, the savings keep on mounting year after year.

If exceptional light quality is important, then it might be worth investigating in innovative Soraa LED lights that give near daylight illumination through full-spectrum light technology called GaN on GaN.
The added eco benefit of LED is that by using less energy, households cut their carbon footprint.

Eco water products

Water is a precious resource and so is worth conserving in the home. Quality eco shower heads, eco taps and tap aerators all reduce water consumption by more than half by mixing air with the water flow. If you are on a water meter, then reducing water use is financially beneficial. Eco water products also cut energy used to heat and pump water.

Condensing boilers

Efficiency is important for an eco-conscious household. To maximise efficiency, it is worth checking that your boiler is working well. If it needs to replaced, consider substituting it with a condensing boiler as these versions can cut gas bills by around £310 a year. The investment will be repaid in about six years.

Heating timers and thermostats

Every household should check their heating timers and thermostats to make sure no energy is wasted. Turning down the thermostat by just one degree would take around £75 off the yearly heating bill.

Draught-proofing

A proper eco home is fully draught-proofed. Making sure all draughts are sealed around windows and doors can cut up to £50 annually from heating costs. Draught-proofing allows householders to turn down the thermostat as less cold air is whistling through the home.

Loft insulation

Loft insulation is another key part of any eco home and it’s proven, cheap and effective. Less heat lost through the roof means that the insulation investment is repaid in around 24 months through energy bill savings.

Cavity wall insulation

More expensive but also worthwhile for longer-term eco planning is cavity wall insulation and homeowners should more than recoup the costs in around four years through energy savings, then go on saving around £125 annually.

PV panel installation

Another longer-term eco move is solar photovoltaic (PV) panel installation, which is certainly planet-friendly as a renewable energy source. The cost of installing this product should be repaid through electricity bill savings in 10 years.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps are another renewable energy source and are available under the Renewable Heat Incentive. These pumps can provide extra income through the energy generated while reducing utility bills.

Energy-efficient white goods

Consumers can also reduce their energy bills by replacing legacy appliances with top energy-rated washing machines, tumble dryers, fridges and freezers. These devices consume roughly 20% of the electricity used each year in UK homes.

Fridges and freezers are required to display a minimum rating of A+ and a new fridge-freezer could cut £62 from the annual electricity bill.

Even after installing a new A+ rated washing machine, it’s good to run a full clothes wash on a setting of 20 degrees C, which should be effective for most wash requirements.
Other regular domestic eco tips include boiling just enough water in the kettle, always ensuring that the dishwasher is full before starting.

Pressure cookers

Cooking with a pressure cooker or slow cooker is very energy efficient. Pressure cookers can reduce energy output and cooking time by 70%. Slow cookers, too, use only a fraction of the energy used by a conventional oven.

If cooking conventionally, always switch the oven off at least five minutes before cooking time – the food will continue to cook while saving energy.

Smark power strips

One final device is also very effective – smart power strips. With these handy products, you can turn off a range of devices at once when not in use.

About the author: Mark Sait

Mark Sait is managing director of SaveMoneyCutCarbon.com, a full-service efficiency partner helping businesses and households reduce energy and water consumption, and cutting carbon emissions to improve sustainability.