There are many ways in which you can save energy, thereby reducing your utility bills and helping the environment as well.
First and foremost, turning down your thermostat by just 1°C will generally save you about £55 annually. Install a programmable thermostat and set it to switch off your central heating while you’re at work and when you’re asleep.
To ensure that you don’t get cold at night, use an electric blanket, hot water bottle, thick blanket or duvet, or wear warm bedclothes. Reduce the temperature of your hot water to 60°C and have your hot water cylinder insulated so it doesn’t have to work so hard to keep your water hot. If your house is empty while you’re at work all day, install a timer to switch off your hot water cylinder while you’re out of the house and only heat the water when you return home at night.
To prevent heat from escaping through your windows, install double-glazing, or thick curtains, which you should close at dusk to conserve the warmth in the house. Fitting double-glazing will save you in the region of £140 annually, and prevent about 720 kilograms of CO2 from being released into the environment.