How to save on energy in and around the home and office

Only use what you really need

In addition to switching off lights and electrical appliances when they’re not in use, you can also save energy by:

Wash economically. Use your washing machine or dishwasher only when you have a full load, and select economy programmes and/or the lowest possible temperature. Hang it out to dry. Traditional clothes dryers are energy-intensive – and so-called “condensation” models (dryers without an exhaust tube) use even more energy.

Drying your clothes on a clothesline, either inside or outside, uses no energy at all! Keep your fridge cool. Keep your fridge at the right temperature and defrost regularly to keep it working efficiently.

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Don’t leave the doors open for longer than necessary, and make sure too that the door seals are airtight. You can test this by closing the door over a piece of paper so it is half in and half out: if you can pull the paper out easily, the hinge may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

Bring just enough to boil. When using a kettle, only boil as much water as you need. It will save electricity and boil the water more quickly.

Switch your lighting

Did you know lighting accounts for up to 15% of your electricity bill? You can reduce the amount of energy to light your home and office by:

• Install energy-efficient light bulbs. A variety of options is available, including compact fluorescent lamps and LED lamps.
• Switch lights off! Like all electrical items, switch off the lights when they’re not in use.

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Pull the plug

An easy thing you can do is to turn off TVs, computers, and other electronics when they are not in use. Turn off your computer at night – at home and at work. Unplug chargers for mobile phones and other mobile devices when you’re not using them.

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