Save the Environment Without Sacrificing Convenience

At every turn, we are reminded that as responsible citizens we should be making more of an effort to help save the environment. However, did you know that reducing your carbon footprint is not only easier than you thought, but also a great way to save money?

A typical household can spend a combined £1,450 a year on gas and electricity. With this kind of money in question, a few simple changes are well worth your effort.

Re-Evaluate Your Supplier

The benefit of choice in energy supplier is that you can select the plan that is best tailored to your home’s specific needs. Although you may have been with the same supplier for years, this doesn’t mean that they are still right for you.

By comparing different options, you will better understand what is available, and will be able to make an informed decision. The actual process of switching providers has been made quite simple and companies such as British Gas let you sign up online, and complete the paperwork for you.

In addition to saving you money, finding a new supplier may also provide you with greener options. Some companies are taking very proactive approaches towards environmentally friendly energy. For example, customers of British Gas can take advantage of the Green Tariff and support the promotion of renewable energy sources.

Skip the Tub and Take a Shower Instead

Do you know how much water is going down your drain (and taking your money with it?) According to the BMA, if you take regular baths instead of showers, you are wasting a whopping 40% more water. This means that those who favour showers can save a lot of money on water.

Another way to save money on water is to switch to a meter that ensures you will only pay for water you actually use. Switching to a meter can also make you more aware of the amount of water used in your home, which can help encourage you to find ways to reduce.

Put on a Sweater

Do you really need to wear short sleeves in the winter? If you are over heating your home then you are likely spending a lot more on fuel than you have to. By reducing the temperature in your home and dressing a little warmer, you can save signifantly every winter.

If putting on a sweater doesn’t appeal to you, then why not try this – Reduce the heat in your home by just one degree. By turning down the temperature by just one degree, you can reduce the energy used by around 10%. This means a saving of £50 per year in most homes. In addition, best yet, the only place you’ll notice this one degree is in your wallet.

Light Savings

Something as small as switching to energy saving bulbs can offer big savings! For every light in your house, you can save up to £7 a year on your fuel bill. Even better, energy saving bulbs last around 10 times longer than the traditional bulbs – which means that you have to purchase fewer bulbs during the lifetime of your home.

Use the OFF switch

Friends of the Earth (FoE) 2006, estimates that appliances, even when in standby, still use up to 70% of their usual energy. This means that taking that appliance off standby could save you around £15 a year.

Lag your Tank

For a one-time investment, you can jacket your boiler and lag the pipe to the hot water tank. According to Friends of the Earth (FoE), these simple improvements will save you between £15 and £20 a year.

Bleed Your Radiators

Although it may sound complicated, "bleeding a radiator" is just a fancy way to say, "Release trapped air". This simple procedure will improve the efficiency of your radiator, ensuring that they perform better and use less energy, thus saving you money.

Unplug Your Chargers

Even if it is not attached to your mobile, a charger left plugged in still consumes energy. In fact, unplugging your phone, laptop, or iPod chargers when they aren’t in use will save you around £10 a year for each appliance.

Insulate Your Home

Installing insulation in your home can be a big decision. Although the price of this investment can cause some people to delay, insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to save on energy. For example, the average uninsulated, three bedroom, gas heated house wastes 60p from every £1 spent on heating (EST, 2006). Installing loft insulation can save you up to 25 per cent off your annual heating bill, while wall cavity insulation can save a massive 33 per cent. (FoE, 2006)

To help offset the cost of insulation installation, you can heck with your local authority to see if they’re offering any grants.

Replace Your Aging Boiler

As boilers age, their efficiency begins to decrease. By replacing your aging boiler with an "A" rated appliance, you will be doing a lot for both your wallet and the environment. Although a new boiler can be a major expense, there are often trade-in deals or new-purchase incentives to help ease the cost. A great place to start looking is with British Gas, who often offer sales listed on their website (link to Paul’s British Gas site)

Money saving tip of the year:

Most modern powders allow you to wash laundry at 40 not 60 degrees in an A-rated machine and you could save around £12 per year.