Q: “Having just been hit with a huge energy bill, I need some advice on quick and easy ways to save energy around the home. Are there any simple things we can do or habits we can change to make our home more energy-efficient?”
Julie, Manchester
A: “With energy prices continuing to rise, it is becoming trickier than ever to keep on top of our household bills. However, there are lots of really quick and easy ways to save energy on a daily basis, cutting your costs considerably.
“Firstly, take showers day-to-day and save long soaks in the bath for a weekend treat, as a five minute shower uses an average of 30 litres of water compared to a bath’s 80 litres. Unplug all appliances when they’re not in use, as keeping them in standby mode will actually cost you an easily-avoidable £35 a year. Also, make sure you check all your windows and doors for draughts, and use draught excluders to stop cold air getting in and increasing your heating bill.
“You can also make considerable savings by using LED light bulbs instead of halogen. Using a 7W LED bulb, equivalent to a 50W halogen bulb, for four hours a day would typically save you £8.97 a year. Panasonic have recently launched a new range of LED bulbs, which come in a number of styles and tones, and have also created an online savings calculator to help you work out just how much you money you could save. Finally, don’t fill your kettle right up every time to avoid boiling unnecessary water, only use a tumble dryer when you’re unable to dry clothes outside, and leave a third of the space in your fridge or freezer free – if it is packed full of food then it will take more energy to keep it cool.”
Answered by Simon Eves, environmental affairs manager at Panasonic UK.
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