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Here are some simple measures from the Energy savings trust  you can put into action today to save money and reduce your ecological footprint

At Home

• Turning your thermostat down by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percentand save you around £30 per year.
• Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60ºC/140ºF.
• Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
• Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
• Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
• If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme.
• Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle).
• A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
• Replace your light bulbs with energy saving recommended ones: just one can reduce your lighting costs by up to £78 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.

At Work

According to The Carbon Trust most businesses and public sector organisations could quickly cut their heating, lighting and power bills by 10% or more without any capital investment. With a little investment savings of 20% are realistic and some companies have even cut their energy costs in half, becoming more profitable and competitive as a result.

Some tips they provide, include

Lighting tips

• Switch off lights in empty rooms.
  Turn off lights in empty rooms and corridors - especially at the end of the day. This can save up to 15% of your lighting bill.
• Use just the light you need
  Lights too bright in corridors? Remove or switch off alternate fittings.
• Use daylight
  It's free - so keep windows and skylights clean and clear.
• Clean light fittings annually
  Dirt reduces lighting efficiency, encouraging people to switch more lights on.

Heating tips

• Too hot?
  Set the thermostat at 19°C - costs rise by 8% for every 1°C increase.
• Don't heat unused space
  Storerooms, corridors and areas where there's heavy physical work can be set to lower temperatures. Reduce heating during holidays and weekends.
• Keep radiators clear
  Don't block radiators with furniture - it reduces efficiency and output.
• Thermostats
  Check that thermostats are sited out of draughts and away from either cold or hot spots.
• Keep windows closed in cold weather
  If staff are too warm, turn the heating down instead.

Energy Management tips

• 'If you can't measure it, you can't manage it'.
  Check regularly on your consumption of electricity, gas and oil, and check that your bills relate to what you actually use, rather than an estimate.
• Consult your colleagues
  Ask your colleagues where they think energy is being wasted, and for their ideas about saving energy.