Tricks of Saving Energy at Home. 

When it comes to saving electricity, there are several ways to go about it. Understandably though, the effect of specific strategies varies, as some practices go a long way in cutting consumption while others are not quite as potent. And just like their effectiveness, the amount of time and energy required to implement these tips varies. To save a little bit of energy, there are a vast number of ways to do so and they encompass changes that can be made at home and work alike, with the help of our children, friends, and even pets. 

• Turn off unnecessary lights. 

Two 100-watt incandescent bulbs switched off an extra two hours per day could save you £12 per year. Better yet, switch to LED. 

• Use natural light. 

A single window can illuminate 20 to 100 times its area. Turning off one 60-watt bulb for four hours a day can contribute to your yearly savings. 

• Use task lighting. 

Turn off ceiling lights and use table lamps, track lighting and under-counter lights in work and hobby areas as well as in kitchens. 

• Take shorter showers. 

Hot water is expensive. If two people in your home cut their shower time by a minute each, you could save £25 over a year. 

• Turn the water off when shaving, washing hands, brushing teeth. 

Reduce your hot water usage by 5% and save. 

• Unplug unused electronics. 

Standby power can account for 10% of an average household's annual electricity use. Unplug unused electronics and save £40 a year. 

• Ditch the desktop computer. 

If you are still using that old desktop, recycle it and switch to a laptop. If you use your laptop two hours per day, you will save £4 over a year. 

• Defrosting the Fridge. 

Defrosting?the?refrigerator?regularly help to maintain the efficiency and save electricity.  

• Recycle or donate that old T.V. 

?Recycle or donate your old T.V. Even if you are just using it an hour a day, that 42-inch LCD is costing you six bucks a year. 

• Manage your thermostat. 

If you have electric heat, lower your thermostat by two degrees to save 5% on your heating bill. Reducing it five degrees could save 10%.? 

• Be strategic with window coverings. 

Promote airflow through your home and block the afternoon sun. You could save you up to £8 (2 fans) or £35 (1 window unit A.C.) during the summer. 

• Reduce heat in the kitchen. 

Avoid using the oven in summer – try salads, smoothies, or barbecue. You will reduce the heat in your home and save on your home cooling costs. 

• Run full loads. 

Cut one load of wash per week, even if you are already using cold water only, and you could save £15 a year on your laundry costs. 

• Wash laundry in cold. 

By switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads per week, you could save up to £18 per year on your energy bill. 

• Hang dry your laundry. 

If you do eight loads of laundry a week and use your clothesline for 50% of those clothes, you could save £39 a year. 

• Be efficient with refrigeration. 

Keep your fridge and freezer at their ideal temperature. For your fridge this is between 2°C and 3°C and your freezer should be at -18°C. 

• Use the microwave, crock pot or toaster oven 

A microwave takes 15 minutes to do the same job as 1 hour in an oven. Use a microwave instead of your oven 4 times a week and save £11/year. 

These are just a few of the ways you can bring your energy bill down, saving both money and precious resources. We can do better – one house at a time.