Energy efficiency

What you can do to save energy

Most of the UK’s electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels, a process which releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Scientists have shown that these gases are contributing to significant warming of the earth’s atmosphere, which in turn leads to climate change. For the UK, this is likely to mean massive increases in winter flooding, summer drought and severe storms, and the prognosis for the world as a whole is even more serious.

But if everyone in the country turned off their TV at the wall overnight instead of leaving it on standby, it would save enough energy to shut down one whole power station!

Here are some more suggestions for easy ways to save energy at home:

No cost (just your heart and mind)

Double electrical socket and plugTwo houses demonstrating percentage heat loss with and without insulation

Typical heat loss rates from a typical domestic house are 33% through external walls, 26% through the roof, 18% through windows, 12% from ventilation and draughts, 8% through the floors and 3% through external doors.

If you’re willing to spend a little more on saving energy, you might also like to think about these measures:

Low cost

An energy saving light bulb

Higher cost

Further information for householders is available at Housing: Energy efficiency. If you would like to find out about saving energy in your business, see Energy saving tips for businesses.

Useful links

Energy Saving Trust|External link
For more information about appliance energy ratings.

Last Updated: 21/11/2016