Frequently Asked Questions - Energy Efficiency

In the UK, the gas and electricity bill for most houses is set by Ofgem’s price cap. For typical usage, this now stands at around £2,565 a year, including standing charges and VAT. 

Smart meters are a great way to keep track of how much energy is being used in your home at different times of the day. Knowing this can help you to identify where energy is being wasted and what you can do to combat this. Get in touch with your energy supplier to find out if installing a smart meter is an option for your home.

Double glazing saves energy by reducing the amount of heat that is lost through windows in your home. Unnecessary heat loss means that your heating system has to work harder to maintain a regular temperature, wasting money as well as energy! By installing A++ rated double glazing, you could save around £235 a year on your energy bills.

By investing in a room thermostat, you can set and maintain the temperature of your home. A programmer sets the heating to turn on and off at certain times of day, giving you more control. For example, there’s no need to have the heating on high if everyone is out at work and school during the day!

Installing a full set of heating controls (including a programmer, thermostatic radiators and a room thermostat) could save around £180 and 315kg of carbon dioxide every year.

LEDs are the most energy efficient bulbs on the market, followed by CFLs. In a typical home in the UK, just 53% of bulbs are energy saving – by swapping all your bulbs for energy efficient LEDs you could save up to £65 a year on electricity bills!

Turning off lights when you don't need them can reduce your yearly carbon dioxide emissions by around 16kg and save you £25 on your annual electricity bills.

By turning your thermostat down by just 1 degree, you could reduce your carbon dioxide usage by 295kg and make savings of £145 on your bills every year.

• Install a water meter to help you keep track of usage

• Save up to £70 off yearly bills by replacing shower heads with a water efficient option

• Spend a minute less in the shower, this could save £25 off your bills each year

• Use a washing up bowl instead of running the tap

• Fit old toilets with a cistern displacement device

• Wait until your washing machine is full to put a wash on

• Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth

• Use a water butt to collect rainwater for the garden

• Sticking to 4-minute showers can save £95 in energy bills annually

• Don’t run the dishwasher until it is full