Home » Housing » Energy Efficiency » Top 10 tips for energy efficiency
West Wiltshire District Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
0RD
Telephone: 01225 776655

Independent research tells us that the average householder could save around £280 per year on its fuel bills. (Source Energy Saving Trust).
| 1. InsulationNearly
50% of the heat in a typical home is lost through its walls and roof. Make sure these areas are insulated
to the highest possible standard. You could save up to £100 per year on heating bills. |
| 2.
HeatingDon't
overheat your home, use your heating to reach the temperature you need and make sure you know how to
use the controls properly. Turning the thermostat down by 1% can save up to 10% on fuel bills. |
3.
LightingReplace
ordinary light bulbs with energy saving ones. They use about 1/4 of the energy and last up to 15 times
longer. They can save around £10 a year. Remember to turn lights off when leaving a room. |
|
![]() | 4.
Boiling
waterDon't overfill the kettle for just one drink. An electric kettle
is one of the biggest energy users in the home. |
5.
Hot
WaterMake sure your hot water tank is lagged with a suitable jacket.
These can pay for themselves within a few months. Never have your thermostat set above 60C. Having a
shower uses much less water than a bath. |
|
![]() | 6. WashingWait
until you have a full load before using the washing machine, or use the 1/2 load setting. Using the
40C cycle rather than the 60C cycle uses a 1/3 less electricity. |
![]() | 7.
Draught
proofingFitting draught proofing to windows and doors can be relatively
easy and cheap and can save up to £15 on annual fuel bills. Closing the curtains at dusk can stop heat
escaping |
![]() | 8. WindowsConsider
fitting secondary or replacement glazing where appropriate. Double glazing can halve the heat lost through
windows and save around £40 per year on fuel bills. |
![]() | 9.
Electrical
AppliancesDon't leave appliances on stand by; they can still use up
to 25% of the full amount of energy. This includes TVs, stereos, computers etc. |
10.
Fridges
and FreezersDefrost fridges and freezers regularly. Don't leave the door open for longer
than necessary and don't put hot or warm food straight into the fridge - allow it to cool down first. |