Energy Efficiency It's easy to make small changes and make a big difference to the amount of energy you use in the home and the amount you pay on your fuel bills. By improving your home’s insulation, upgrading your heating and controls and using more effective lighting and appliances you'll also be doing your bit to reduce the threat of climate change. Before you read on, click on the picture of the house on the left and see where your home might be wasting energy... Now scroll down for useful energy efficiency tips. Making a commitment to change at least one thing will help you start saving energy and money.

Top tips for energy saving in your home Keeping warm Insulate walls, the loft, the roof and even floors to prevent the heat escaping Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows Double glazing keeps warmth in and cold draughts out, as well as reducing                                                       noise levels Turning down your thermostat and reducing your room temperature by just                                                           1 degree centigrade can save up to 10% on your heating bill. To save even more,                                                  remember to turn your heating down or off completely when you leave the house Programmable central heating controls allow you to choose exactly what temperature you want your heating and hot water to be,  when you want it If your boiler is over 15 years old, upgrade to an energy efficient condensing boiler and save around a third on your heating bills   Use less electricity Always turn off the lights when you leave a room Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave gadgets and mobile phone chargers switched on unnecessarily Energy efficient lightbulbs use a fifth of the energy of conventional bulbs. Many high street retailers and DIY stores stock low energy bulbs for most light fittings, so now you can fit low energy lighting in every room in the house When you’re shopping for new appliances, make sure you look for the Energy Saving recommended logo. Energy efficient products don’t necessarily cost more to buy but they will cost less to run in the long term.  A list of energy saving recommended products can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website: www.energysavintrust.org What about water? Taking a shower, instead of a bath saves both energy and water - an ordinary shower uses nearly two thirds less hot water than a bath Always put the plug in your basin or sink. Leaving hot water taps running with it removed is the same as washing money down the plughole A dripping hot water tap wastes water and energy, so fix leaking taps (hot or cold) and make sure they're fully turned off Ensure your hot water cylinder is fitted with an insulation jacket to keep water hot for longer. Check the cylinder thermostat too. It should be set at around 60 degrees centigrade (140 degrees fahrenheit). Any higher, you’re wasting money If you're making a cuppa, only fill the kettle with as much water as you need. It takes less time to boil and uses less energy but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle Take your first step towards saving energy in the home and call Warmer Homes, Greener District on 0800 512 012 to apply for a heating and insulation grant.  Our team can also advise you on broader energy efficiency matters, from draught proofing to solar energy. << home

Warmer Homes, Greener District is a Lichfield District Council Energy Initiative