Top ten tips that cost you nothing

We’re all about helping you save money while you save energy so here are our top ten tips for cutting the carbon without spending a penny:

1. Turn off the lights when you leave a room – by making sure that the light bulbs are energy saving too, you could save 75% on your lighting bill. Check out our range of energy saving light bulbs.

2. Unplug chargers – mobile phone, toothbrush, battery, shaver – even if the appliance isn’t connected, the charger is still using electricity.

3. Don’t leave anything on standby – appliances on standby still use electricity. If you turn off TVs, DVD players, stereos, microwaves and PCs each night you could save 8% of your annual electricity bill. Not bad considering all you have to do is press a few off buttons. Take a look at our range of power savers.

4. Try not to tumble dry – the tumble drier uses up a LOT of energy so, when possible, make use of the breeze outside by hanging washing on a line, or the warmth of your home by putting washing on an air drier. Avoid covering radiators in damp clothes, as they will stop the heat warming the room. If you don’t have outdoor space and there’s no need for heating, put the clothes on an air drier in a room you’re not using, open the window to let in the breeze and shut the door.

5. Heat the water you need – it’s easy to overfill the kettle when you’re making one cup of tea, but by doing so you’re spending money heating water you don’t need and you’ll wait longer for your cuppa! Simply fill a mug with water, pour that in the kettle and, as long as the water level is above the minimum mark, away you go.

6. Turn down your heating thermostat – dialling down by just one degree will save you money and you’ll hardly notice the difference. If you do, pull on a jumper!

7. Check your water thermostat – the ideal temperature is 60ºC/140ºF, any higher than this and you’re wasting energy and money.

8. Fill up and wash at 30º – most detergents are made to cope with being washed at a lower temperature. Wait till you have a full load before switching on your washing machine to get your moneys-worth in each wash. Check out our energy saving washing machines.

9. Shower rather than bathe – it takes a lot of energy to heat water so it makes sense that the more water you use, the more money you’re spending. A shower uses around 20% of the hot water needed for a bath so take a quick shower, save money and cut your carbon emissions. Check out our water and energy saving showerheads and shower timers.

10. Put a lid on it – cover pans when you’re boiling water and you’ll make more efficient use of the heat. Plus, if you turn off the oven five minutes before the dish is ready, but don’t open the door, your food will continue to cook in the heat, but without you paying for it.

2010 Save Carbon Save Money Ltd