All Around the House
- Proper insulation and draught proofing can save around 40% on average heating bills!
- The cost of heating... Heating using electricity costs three times more than oil. Remember this when heating a room or water.
- Try and heat water using the main heating system rather than using an electric immersion.
- Choose an electricity supplier that produces its energy through renewable sources. Although this will not reduce the cost of your electricity, it is an environmentally friendly option.
- Use an electricity monitor/ read your meters and compare to your bills – studies have shown that awareness reduces use.
- Ensure you choose the correct tariff to match your needs from your electricity supplier.
- Slightly turn down thermostat (minimum 18°C). It's obvious, but how many of us sit in over-heated homes and don't bother to turn the heat off. Reduce the settings of thermostats, as the weather gets slightly warmer. It's only a matter of developing the habit.
- By reducing the heating thermostat one degree Celsius, with no loss of comfort, over 5% or around €66/yr can be saved.
- Fit thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) to radiators and set them properly.
- Check the thermostat on your hot water tank is not set above 60°C.
- Turn off lights as you leave a room or in areas of the house that are not frequently used.
- Reduce heat loss by closing curtains at dusk.
- Use CFL low energy light bulbs throughout the house. They are 85% more efficient than tungsten bulbs and last up to 15 times as long. Annual saving around €40.
- Phone chargers, TVs, computers and other electronic devises often use more power while on stand-by mode than when in use – remember 30% of electricity normally used on stand-by.
- Avoid unnecessary electricity use between 5pm and 7pm - help reduce national CO2 emissions.