How to Save Energy

There are a number of practical steps that you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home without significant financial costs. These include:

Heating and Appliance Controls

Heating and appliance controls, such as timers, thermostats and plumbing/electronic components, help to keep your home comfortable without overheating and wasting energy.

Basic Draught Proofing

In some homes there can be unwanted draughts and leaks. This is particularly prevalent in older properties common in Kingston. Cracks and gaps allow warm air to escape, usually found around wall openings (including window and door frames and pipework openings), between and around floorboards, around electrical fittings and around the loft hatch.

Energy Efficient Lighting

The two main types of energy-efficient light bulbs available are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Replacing the bulbs in your home with LED lights could save you up to £40 per year. 

Energy Efficient Appliances

When choosing white goods for your home (such as fridge, washing machine, oven), try to find products which have the highest energy standards for your budget. Electrical items are rated on a scale of A to G with A being the most efficient. 

Insulating Pipes, Tanks and Radiators

Insulating your pipes, radiators, and hot water tank (if you have one) is a quick and cheap way to save on your energy bills.

Rainwater Harvesting

The best way to reuse rainwater is with a water-butt connection to your home’s downpipe. This will allow you to save water for use in the garden or to wash your car/bike and reduce the amount of mains water you use.

Ventilation

Ventilation helps to regulate internal moisture levels produced by breathing, washing, cooking and drying clothes as well as help prevent overheating. Ventilation is particularly important in high-moisture areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Using extractor fans and opening windows will help stop moisture from spreading to other areas of the house as the moist air may condense on cold surfaces which may lead to dampness. 

Drier areas in your home, such as bedrooms, also need ventilating. If your windows have trickle vents (small channel vents found on the top and side of modern windows), leave these open to help fresh air get around the room. 

Kingston Retrofit Guidance for Households

To read more information about all these measures, Kingston Council has developed a Retrofit Guidance for Households to provide information on energy efficiency improvements which can help to reduce energy bills.