How to make your home more energy efficient

Switch it off

Make sure you switch off electrical appliances properly when not in use. A staggering 90 per cent of the energy consumed by devices like TVs and computers is used when they’re on standby.

Turn off the lights when you leave a room

Around 10 to 15 per cent of household energy is consumed by lighting.

Get saving with double glazing

Replacing your old single-glazed windows and doors with new double-glazed units will make a significant difference to your energy bills. Poorly-insulated windows can account for a fifth of the heat lost from our homes. Double glazing can cut this figure my half – and help save up to £100 a year.

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Bright idea

Replace your normal light bulbs with energy-saving ones. These come in a range of styles – including halogen – and the extra cost is greatly outweighed by the energy savings. They can last 10 times as long as normal bulbs.

Insulate your loft

An inexpensive measure, loft insulation is a quick and easy way to knock more than £100 off your annual energy bill. Experts estimate that 15 per cent of the heat in your house is lost through the loft.

Look up

For some high-tech energy saving, switch to satellite TV. A recent report from Intellect, the trade association for the UK technology industry, points out that satellites use far less energy than terrestrial networks, as once a satellite is in orbit, it runs entirely on solar power. The current UK terrestrial system consumes more than 50MW and releases at least a quarter of a million tons of CO2 per annum. As satellite technology develops, the power, costs and range of applications makes it an ever more attractive alternative. Dr Mike Healy, director of space science at leading European space technology company EADS Astrium, says: “One of our latest telecoms satellites can broadcast up to 500 digital TV channels, 200 HD TV channels or 4,000 radio stations to small traditional satellite dishes. Developing this technology so that conventional TV aerials could pick up satellite broadcasts could be achieved within five years.”

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