Energy Saving Tips Directory

We hope you'll find these energy saving tips and ideas helpful. For those who feel they've become tired with the usual run of the mill tips - however worthy - found on most sites, we hope you'll enjoy and be challenged by some of our alternative and more thought provoking material.

These energy saving tips are provided on the basis that before you adopt any of these suggestions, you need to make sure that the information is appropriate for your own individual needs and situation. Just because a suggestion may save you energy or money doesn't necessarily mean that it's either safe or is going to improve your quality of life. If however, we've made you think about your energy usage and given you some ideas on how you may be able to reduce your consumption, we will be happy.

General Tips

• Adopt the 8 R's - Check out these important 'R words' before throwing anything away - or even buying!
• A Little Kidology - Get the children involved in energy saving with a little financial motivation - our original Tip23
• Avoid Direct Debit Overcharging - Make sure you're not at a disadvantage with your energy company
• Enjoy Saving a Penny - Energy saving can be a hot topic - but often only when you're talking big numbers
• More Excellent Tips - A few simple tips that we have been given by readers
• Sustainability is a State of Mind - Why we have to get passionate about recycling

Heating

• Bleeding Radiators - Regular bleeding will improve the efficiency of your central heating system, and your energy bill.
• Cavity Insulation for Solid Walls - This is just plain silly, but lots of stuff that comes through the door usually is
• Hot Water Tank Jackets - There very rarely is a tip that is a no-brainer, but this is pretty close
• Immersion Heater Settings - Not easy answer here, but some things to think about when setting your heater
• Let Radiators Radiate - They're called radiators for a reason, so don't stop them doing their job
• Letter Box Draughts - Our original Tip10 which features in a number of discussions across the web
• Recycling Wood - If it's being thrown away and you can use it, then why not ask the question
• Sea of Loft Insulation - Great in practice, but how inefficient in other ways when you can't use the loft space afterwards
• Standby or Standoff - Leaving electrical goods turned because they cant' be using much electricity? Think again
• Turning the Heating Down Standards tip, but make sure you stay warm enough

IT & Technology

• Beware printer ink FUD - This is about being aware of a selling technique that you should be aware of when buying ink
• Cartridge First, Printer Second - Ink cartridges are dear and printers - in relative terms are not - so wise up
• Mobile Wind Up - Why not try a little light exercise and save energy?
• Should you be Charging? - Charging may a necessity, but don't leave it connected any longer than necessary

Kitchen

• Avoid Steaming Kettles - If it steams for too long, there may a problem as well as it hurting you in the pocket
• Operating the Fridge - Some pointers to getting your fridge to run efficiently and safely
• Pre-Heated Water - Dependent on how much use you kettle gets, it may be worth thinking about
• Use a More Efficient Kettle - Is bigger wattage kettle more expensive to run, or could it actually be cheaper
• Use a Vacuum Flask - A forgotten piece of kitchen equipment in our armoury of energy saving devices?
• Fill up the Washing Machine - Partial loads can seriously dent your energy saving efforts

Lighting

• Are you Dim Enough - Why you might like to still consider using dimmer switches for certain applications
• Are You Over-Shadowed? - Trees and hedges are fine, but are they OK if they stop light from coming in the house
• Be Aware of 'Light Heat' - Incandescent bulbs give off lots of heat. But if it means leaving the central heating off...
• Daylight is Free - Make sure your windows are kept clean so you can let it in
• Preserve Your Light Fittings - Low energy light bulbs may not be popular but they are kinder on fittings
• Reduce Your Lighting Bill - And of course, low energy bulbs are kinder on your energy bills as well
• The Most Efficient Energy Saving Lightbulb - This one's just to make sure you don't get lazy and into bad habits
• Which Lightbulbs are More Efficient when Turned On? - Just so you're aware of energy efficiency labelling...

Recycling and the Environment

• Don't Post, Send an Ecard - Even if it's not got the personal feel, its a solution to the ever increasing postal charges
• In a Jiffy - Reuse those mailers we all get and save a lot of money. Even large companies are doing this now!
• If it's Broke... - Yes, it's repair it. In fact this could be the way back into manufacturing in the UK.
• Recycled Packaging Labels - Demonstrate your green credentials by putting these labels on your recycled packages
• Save Paper... And Trees - An old 'standard' but still one we should regularly think about
• Stop Junk Mail - Seems like this is easier said than done, but all we can do is keep trying

Travel and our Carbon Footprint

• Buy Local Produce - Apart from that nice war feeling of buying locally, it has to make sense for our carbon footprint
• Choosing the Right Car - As much a link through to Government data on car performance, but worthy of inclusion
• Choose Suppliers that Care - You may choose a supplier based on price, but how about their green credentials?
• Make your Car Go Further - Fuel saving tips to get that MPG figure up. Any more suggestions would be welcomed
• Real Cost of Motoring - Have a look to see what the real cost of running a motor car is
• Cycle To Work - Not a practicable proposition for most of us - or is it?

How you can help others

Energy saving is not a simple and straightforward subject. For every action we take, some other part of our carbon footprint is likely to be affected. Unlike a solar-powered garden light trying to recharge itself during a typically wet English summer, we hope we can provide some illumination on this subject and help you become a greener and more efficient user of energy.