Ways to save energy

Energy saving steps for every household

Potential annual cost saving

Annual CO2 equivalent saving and carbon equivalent in driving distance

Appliances

If we do need to replace appliances it's always best to try and get the most energy efficient models that we can afford. A cheaper, less energy efficient one will end up being a false economy.         

Turn appliances off from standby.

Turn devices off standby, or onto idle mode eg TV, tv boxes and recorders, computers and monitors, games consoles, microwaves, hifi and speakers, printers, phone chargers

£55 average

45kg CO2 equivalent (163 miles Swansea to Machynlleth return)

Running your dishwasher 

Run your dishwasher when it is full to reduce water usage and the number of times you use it by one run per week. 

£14 

11kg CO2 equivalent (40 miles -  Swansea to St Fagans)

Only boil the water you need

Only boil the water you need in your kettle. If you find you've boiled too much pour it into a flask to use later.

£11

9kg CO2equivalent (33 miles - Swansea to Merthyr Tydfil)

Replace your light bulbs with LED

Replace light bulbs with LED over time. Replacing a typical bulb of 60w with an LED will save enough money to pay for itself in two years.  

£6 per 60w incandescent bulb replaced,  £55 for replacing all bulbs with LEDs in the typical home

4.7kg CO2e per 60w incandescent bulb replaced, 43kg CO2e for replacing all bulbs in typical home (17 miles per bulb Swansea to Pyle, 156 miles for all bulbs in the home - Swansea to Winchester)

Use your Washing machine at lower temperatures and only when full

Use washing machine 30-degree cycles instead of higher temperatures. Add a small scoop of bicarbonate of soda to your whites or baby clothes wash to help keep them white.  Only wash your clothes when you have a full load to reduce the amount of times you use your machine.

£14 for washing at 30 degrees, £14 for reducing the number of times you wash your clothes by one a week

11kg CO2e for washing at 30 (40 miles Swansea to St Fagans) 12kg CO2e for washing your clothes once less per week (43 miles - Swansea to Ikea, Cardiff)

Dry your clothes naturally when possible

Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes: dry clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather. Using a rack to dry indoors in the winter will save even more money andCO2e.Always ventilate rooms where wet clothes are hanging.

£60

45kg CO2e (163 miles - Swansea to Machynlleth return)

Keep your freezer space full

A fridge should be 4-5 *C and a freezer should be -18*C. These are amongst the highest users of electricity of any appliances as they are on 24/7.  Its more efficient if it's kept at least 2/3 full, but don't over fill it. Keep an eye on frost build up and defrost regularly. Check door seals are good and dust the condenser coils at the back every so often.

Building improvements and space heating

Good double glazing, wall, attic, and floor insulation will make a big difference to energy consumption, but these can be expensive and may not be appropriate if you are renting. There are alternative ways to save energy that are cheaper and will make a significant difference to your bills and carbon footprint. Check the EPC rating for your home and use as a guide to help you make improvements. If renting do the same as landlords are expected to carry out recommendations for energy efficiency. 

Set your heating on timer and adjust the temperature

A healthy home should be heated around 18-21°C. These temperatures may need to be higher for elderly or very young and those suffering with an illness, but generally if this is used as a guide, we could save energy. 

£105 if you turn your thermostat down from 21 - 20 degrees C

310kg CO2 for every degree turned down

(1,123 miles - Swansea to Aberdeen and back)

Exclude the draughts

Draught-proof gaps around windows, doors and floorboards by fitting foam strips, plastic seals or brushes - and seal gaps with a sealant. Draught proof doors by hanging a curtain or using a 'sausage' draft excluder.

£45 for windows and doors, £50 for floors

105kg CO2 for windows and doors (380 miles - Swansea to Chichester and back), 115kg CO2 for floors (417 miles -Swansea to Sevenoaks, Kent and back)

Draw your curtains at dusk

Drawing your curtains will help stop heat loss through windows. On average there will be a 13-17% saving on your bills. If your curtains are thermally lined or double lined, you can save more money and therefore more carbon.

Insulate pipes and hot water tanks

Effective insulation of your hot water cylinder is important: even if you have thin spray foam or a loose 25mm jacket, you can benefit from increasing the insulation to a British Standard Jacket 80mm thick.

£155 to insulate an uninsulated cylinder, £35 to improve insulation of cylinder and £6 for pipework

£35 = 115kg CO2 (417 miles Swansea to Sevenoaks, Kent and back)

Insulate your attic

25% of heat loss in a home is through the roof. If you make sure your insulation in the attic is at least 10-14 inches thick it will significantly reduce heat loss. Check your attic and if uninsulated prioritise this as will save you the most amount of money and energy.

Up to £225 (terraced) - £580 (detached) based on gas central heating.

520kg CO2 - 1300kg CO2 (1,884 miles - Swansea to Thessaloniki, Greece/ 4,711 miles - Swansea to Kandaha, Afganistan)

Take a shower rather than a bath

Keep your shower time to 4 minutes. And swap one bath a week to a shower.

£70 for keeping showers to 4 minutes, £12 for swapping one bath a week with a shower for the average family home

205kg CO2 for keeping showers to 4 min (743 miles - Swansea to Plymouth and back twice) 35kg CO2 for swapping one bath a week (127 miles - Swansea to Porthmadog)