50 useful ideas to make your home more energy efficient, warmer and greener,

Below are a number of activities and products that can help you maintain a warmer and more energy efficient home this winter. Many of these ideas are good practices year round. Many are obvious and some might make you think thats a great idea. Several of the below will have an instant benefit and the combination of others will have a long term benefit.

 
  • Keep doors closed especially to unused rooms, create a good floor seal with draft excluders
  • Wash only full loads in your washing machine and turn down the temperature setting
  • Where possible, air dry your clothes
  • Unplug unused appliances & electronics as even turned off they absorb energy
  • Closing curtains maintains warmth
  • Keep windows closed especially when heaters are on
  • Only heat the rooms that you are using
  • Showers use 4x less energy than baths to heat
  • Use less pressure in your shower
  • Put lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking time
  • A tightly packed freezer minimises wasted energy
  • Only use the dishwashers wash cycle, let the dishes air dry
  • Wear more clothes inside and turn down the heat
  • Turning the thermostat down a degree and keeping on longer can reduce costs
  • Use compact fluorescent light bulbs which use up to 75 percent less energy or switch to LEDs
  • Insulate unused windows and patio doors by sealing them a window film
  • Find a lower cost energy provider
  • Unless you have spray foam insulation, don’t enter your attic space
  • Insulate your attic space with spray foam for an efficient thermal barrier
  • Insulate your cavity walls
  • Replace old windows with either double or triple glazing
  • Replace filters in your dryer or HVAC systems to keep them efficient
  • Seal holes around vents, pipe and cables that penetrate outside
  • Add insulation sleeves to water pipes to keep the heat in the pipe
  • Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
  • Get a fire place plug for your fire place
  • Replace an old fashioned thermostat for a programmable one
  • Wash your windows to allow the sun in to warm up your rooms
  • Tune ups for your heating and boiling systems can make them more efficient
  • Batch cook your meals to reduce oven running time
  • After using your oven and turning it off, leave the door open to heat your kitchen
  • Microwaves use less energy for warming food than ovens
  • Try and match the size of the hob to the right pot or pan
  • Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need
  • Fix the dripping tap!
  • Install dimmer switches on lights to save energy and enjoy mood lighting
  • Adjust security lights motion detectors for over sensitivity or too much distance
  • Replace old appliances with new energy saving models
  • Don’t buy oversized fridge freezers for a small house hold
  • Locate your fridge in the shade and away from the oven and heaters
  • Use your fridge to defrost thawing food, which helps keep the fridge cooler
  • Open blinds and curtains instead of turning on lights
  • Turn the water off whilst brushing your teeth
  • Watch less TV, less time online and get out of the house too
  • If you do have to use the dryer, use tumble dryer balls to reduce drying time
  • Turn the cold drinks fridge off during the winter months
  • Replace out door lighting with solar powered out door lighting
  • Use machines like dishwashers, dryers and washing machines during off peak times
  • If you have or will install solar panels, keep them clean so the sun can reach the cells.
  • Get a free smart meter to monitor your progress