Top 10 energy saving tips

1. Wherever possible, dry your clothes outside. Drying them on a radiator lowers the room temperature, making your boiler work harder, costing you more to heat your home.
   
   
2. Turning your central heating thermostat down by 1°C could save you up to 10% on your energy bills.
   
   
3. Shop around for your gas and electricity, you may find that there are cheaper suppliers out there.
   
   
4. When boiling vegetables use just enough water to keep them covered and always put lids on your pans.
   
   
5. Draw your curtains at dusk and tuck them behind the radiator to stop heat escaping and reduce draughts.
   
   
6. Don’t waste water by overfilling a bath, taking a shower is even better – you will use less than half the water used when taking a bath.
   
   
7. Check the immersion heater or thermostat settings to ensure that water is not too high. For most of us 60°C is ideal. Turning the temperature down is not only safer but you could save money too.
   
   
8. Keep windows and internal doors closed to stop heat escaping from the room.
   
   
9. Used rolled up blankets or sausage-shaped cushions to keep out draughts under doors and on windowsills.
   
   
10. If you have cheaper off peak electricity try running your washing machine during these off peak times.