Energy

• Home
• Environment and Planning
• Community Environmental Action and Sustainable Development
• Energy

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

• Turn your thermostat down by 1ºC and you could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save around £30 per year.
• Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat does not need to be 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.
• Do not leave appliances on standby or on charge longer than necessary.
• If you are 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 using an electric kettle).
• A dripping hot water tap wastes enough hot water in one week to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they are fully turned off!
• Use energy saving light bulbs. 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.

According to The Carbon Trust most businesses and public sector organisations could quickly cut their heating, lighting and power bills by 10% or more by just turning down and switching off.  With a little investment in energy saving equipement and insulation, savings of 20% are realistic and some companies have even cut their energy costs in half, becoming more profitable and competitive as a result.

Lighting tips

• 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 and do not block radiators with furniture - it reduces efficiency and output.
• 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 and ask them where they think energy is being wasted, and for their ideas about saving energy.