Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Top ten energy saving tips

You can cut as much as £250 off your annual energy bill and reduce your household's carbon dioxide emissions by around two tonnes by following these top ten energy saving measures.

Draught proof doors - Eliminate draughts and wasted heat by installing cheap brushes or PVC seals on your exterior doors. Letterboxes and keyholes should be covered too. You can install draught proofing yourself.

Draught proof gaps - Draughts can stem from gaps in floorboards and skirting boards, and allow heat to escape in winter. Put an end to these draughts by filling these gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant.

Switch to energy saving light bulbs - Energy saving light bulbs last around 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs and use a fraction of the energy an equivalent traditional bulb does.  Each bulb you fit could save up to £60 on electricity over the bulb's lifetime. They come in a wide variety of styles and sizes.

Wrap up your tank with a jacket - Hot water tank jackets are inexpensive and with all the heat they save pay for themselves within months. Fit one that's at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £20 a year.

Insulate your loft - A third of the heat lost in a home is lost through the loft.  Insulating your loft is one of the simplest ways to save energy. Insulate your loft today and in a year you could save around £110. Grants and discounts are available - see Grants and discounts for insulation for more information.

Insulate your wall cavities - Around a third of the heat lost in an uninsulated house is through the walls. You could save around £90 on energy bills each year by insulating your wall cavities. It also creates an even temperature in your home. Grants and discounts are available - see Grants and discounts for insulation for more information.

Switch to a high efficiency boiler - If your boiler is over 15 years old it's probably time to replace it. By law, new gas boilers in England and Wales must now be of the high efficiency condensing type, which can help you save up to a third on your heating bills and even more if you upgrade to modern controls as well. Grants and discounts are available - see Grants and discounts for heating for more information.

Look for the logo - When purchasing new appliances, always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Energy Saving Recommended appliances are the most efficient in their category and could save you up to £37 a year.

Energy Saving Recommended Logo

Double glazing - Double glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50 per cent and could cut your heating bill by around £90 a year.

Take an online home energy check - Still not sure which are your home's weak spots? Why not complete the Energy Saving Trust’s online home energy check. you can also call the local Energy Saving Trust advice centre, the Thames Valley Energy Centre on 0800 512 012 for free, impartial advice on saving energy in your home.