Top 10 Ways to Save Energy at Home

With the colder months around the corner, we know many of you may be worried about feeling the pinch this winter. Even with the Government’s introduction of its energy bill support scheme and energy price guarantee, there’s one thing going through everyone’s mind, should I put the heating on? 

Busy Bees’ Environmental Manager, Sarah Robertson, shares her top 10 energy-saving tips and how to encourage children to play their part.  
 

1. Encourage the whole family to turn the lights off when they are not needed. For example, if there’s enough natural light in a room or when leaving a room. This can save around £25 a year on your annual energy bills¹.
    
2. Kettles are one of the most overused appliances in any household and most of us fill the kettle to the top. Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need. 
    
3. When it comes to children, we know it can feel like there’s endless washing to do. Why not switch to a 30-degree cycle instead of a higher temperature? And avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes too. You could save around £34 a year from your energy bill by doing so².
    
4. As many of us are hybrid working, it’s important to switch off your laptop via the start menu at the end of each day and switch off all monitors via the mains plug. You could even think about investing in a smart plug so you can turn all your appliances off standby in one go. 
    
5. Another commonly used appliance in households is a dishwasher. It’s best to wait for a full dishwasher before running a cycle and try washing at the lowest recommended temperature.  
    
6. Families could save around £100 a year³ with each degree the thermostat is reduced. Set your room thermostats to an ambient temperature (we suggest between 20 and 24 degrees). Consider if air cooling/heating is needed before adjusting the thermostats or switching any additional units on.  
    
7. Why not swap the little one’s bath for a shower? Swapping just one bath a week with a four-minute shower could save around £20 a year on your energy bills.  
    
8. When it comes to cooking for the family, try using the right-sized hob and cook with the saucepan lids on. 
    
9. Did you know that 900 million tonnes of food is thrown away each year and some 60% of that waste is in the home⁴? It’s important to check that your fridge is set to the correct temperature – between 3 and 5 degrees. This will make your food last longer and reduce waste.  You can also find fantastic tips, simple hacks, and guidance to help you save food from being thrown away via Love Food Hate Waste
    
10. Defrost your freezer at least once a year or more frequently if prone to ice build up to allow it to function as efficiently as possible.  

^{1-3 - Quick tips to save energy at home - Energy Saving Trust
4 - Food waste: Amount thrown away totals 900 million tonnes - BBC News}

How to teach your child about energy saving  

There are so many ways to teach your child about saving energy. Why not try these activities: 
 

Be a Food Hero 

Last year, the United Nations teamed up with Peter Rabbit and his friends to encourage their fans to be Food Heroes. It’s a great way to encourage children to learn more about choosing healthy food and reducing food waste. Why not try sorting the waste with your little one and talk about why the objects are being recycled?

The UN Climate Action Superheroes 

Children love learning through play and this activity is great for children. This Climate Action Superheroes activity encourages children to take part in several missions and gain eight superhero certificates.  From Recycle Ranger to Energy Expert, this activity will teach your child about saving energy in a fun and creative way.