Did you know that the electricity and gas used by households across the UK are responsible for over a quarter of the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions?

Switching to clean, renewable energy is a great way to lower the amount of greenhouse gas emission you contribute. However, this isn’t accessible for everyone, so it can be helpful to reduce the amount of energy you use. What’s more, not only will it be helpful for the planet either, it will also reduce your bills too!

So, to help get you started, we have put together our top 10 tips to help you save money at home.

#1. Switch to led lightbulbs

LED bulbs are far more efficient than incandescent light bulbs, will last much longer and can provide a cleaner, much more natural looking light.

#2. Install smart switches

With loads available on the market, ranging from more simple timed ones to ones controlled remotely from a smartphone, smart switches can be a great choice.

They’ll make it much easier to make sure that your electronics aren’t left on standby, wasting electricity.

#3. Turn electronics off at the switch

Did you know that when you leave your electronics on standby, they are actually still using electricity? This is because they are designed to be switched on straight away for convenience.

Making sure that these appliances are switched off at the wall will ensure that they aren’t on. You could even use a smart switch for this, as mentioned above.

#4. Ensure the coils on your fridge are clean

Chances are you’ve never done this, maybe you’ve never heard of this. The coils on the back of your fridge can get really dirty, affecting the overall efficiency, so make sure to clean them at least once a year.

This will help your fridge last longer and cost less to keep it running.

#5. Make sure your fridge and freezer are full

A full fridge-freezer needs less energy to keep cold, as the items inside will help to maintain the temperature.

Don’t be mistaken, you don’t always need to do a food shop to do this. Simply filling up a jug of water and putting it in the fridge will have the same effect, and so will filling the empty spaces in your freezer with paper!

#6. Keep you cooking efficient

Using lids when boiling water on the hob and using the right saucepan on the right ring are both easy ways to keep your cooking efficient. What’s more, both these will make a huge difference, speeding up cooking and using less energy.

Another quick and easy tip is to use the whole oven when you’re cooking, so that the heat isn’t wasted.

#7. Wash your clothes on a lower temperature

Did you know that most of your washing can actually be washed at a much lower temperature, such as 30 degrees and provide the same results?

Doing this will help you to reduce the electricity consumption of your washing machine, as it won’t need to heat the water to such a high temperature.

#8. Purchase appliances with high energy-efficiency

This can be a more expensive option, but if you find yourself needing to buy new appliances anyway, then purchasing one with a high energy-efficiency rating to help you save money whilst it is running.

If you are looking to purchase a new appliance, make sure to purchase a new one from a reputable retailer such as Howards Electrical, leading provider of Appliances Direct Stoke.

#9. Set your thermostat a little lower

Whilst this isn’t strictly saving electricity, as most UK homes have gas central heating, setting your thermal central heating a little lower can have significant savings on your overall energy bill.

#10. Regularly service your appliances

Checking your boiler, fridge and oven to ensure that they are running smoothly is a key step towards efficiency.

However, servicing doesn’t always have to come at cost. Tasks such as cleaning the coils and your fridge can make a huge difference, for free.