Ways To Reduce Your Fuel Bills

• General
• Insulation
• Cooking
• Fridges
• Washing
• Heating system

General

• Draw curtains at night. Don’t obstruct radiators; allow the heat to circulate.
• Switch off lights and appliances. Leaving an appliance on standby uses 80% as much energy as it being on.
• Turndown your central heating thermostat 1oc. This could cut your heating bill by 10%
• Make sure your loft is insulated
• Fit energy efficient light bulbs

Insulation

• The loft. This should ideally be to a thickness of 200mm or 8". There are grants available to help with this. See Grants
• The hot water cylinder. You can either buy a new cylinder with a foam sprayed jacket (this is the best type) or by a wrap around jacket from your local hardware shop.
• The gaps around doors and windows should be draft proofed to stop heat escaping.
• Cavity walls. 35% of heat can be lost through your walls. Professionally installed insulation is a very important purchase for your home and could reduce your fuel bills significantly.
• Conservatories can be very hard to heat so in winter it’s probably best to not heat them at all.
• Floor. Insulate under your floor boards especially if you have a cellar.
• Windows. Double glazing is very effective in reducing heat loss but can also be very expensive. If you cannot install double glazing consider installing secondary glazing which is basically a framed glass panels which are attached on top of existing window frames. 
• While it is important to insulate your home don’t forget that it is equally important to have adequate ventilation around your home. This is essential if you have solid fuel fires, gas fires or open flue boilers .

Cooking

• Use a small ring or low flame for small pans
• Keep lids on pans
• Don't waste energy heating extra water by overfilling pans or kettles
• Don’t grill your toast, use a toaster instead
• Once the pan is boiling, turn the ring or flame down to simmer
• If you have a small top oven, use it for smaller items instead of the main one
• Avoid opening the door of the oven whilst cooking
• Replace damaged seals around the oven door
• Boil water in an electric kettle instead of in a pan 

Fridges

• Make sure there is plenty of ventilation space at the back and top of the freezer
• Keep the cooling fins at the back of the appliance clean
• Site your fridge/freezer in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and cookers and boilers
• Keep the door shut
• Replace damaged door seals - they let heat in
• Defrost regularly - the more ice, the more power used.
• Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge by allowing it to cool down first.

Washing

• Washing machines and tumble dryers: Always wash a full load and if you can't use a half-load or economy programme.
• Always use the low temperature programme bearing in mind that modern washing powders will be just as effective at lower temperatures.
• Wring out or spin-drying really wet clothes before putting them into a tumble dryer will save you money, and they dry faster.
• Dishwashers: Try and use the low temperature programme, and ensure you wash a full load.

Heating system

• Make sure your have a time switch, programmer and room thermostat fitted to your heating system.
• If you have a Hot Water Cylinder make sure you have a thermostat fitted to it. This will reduce the heat of you hot water to a manageable level and save you money. For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing.
• Always put the plug in your basin or sink. Leaving hot water running straight down the drain really is throwing money away.
• If you boiler is over 15 years old you should think about replacing it. New boilers are extremely efficient and will cut your heating bills.