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Learning how to be energy efficient in the colder months can save you money as well as increasing your comfort levels at home. There are some really simple steps that you can take to make your home more energy efficient.
Check out my top 8 suggestions here…
Short on time? Scroll to the bottom of this post for the video
Switch to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Switching to energy efficient light bulbs throughout your home is a great way to be more energy efficient. They can cost a little more than standard light bulbs but they last a lot longer and will save you money in the long run.
If everyone switched to energy saving light bulbs the world would save around £90 billion per year on energy costs.
Research Energy Tariffs with Added Extras
I’d highly recommend shopping around for a new energy tariff and preferably one that is more green.
Which is exactly what the EDF Energy’s Blue+Price protection tariff is. This tariff is part of the Blue Range which means it’s a low-carbon tariff.
The electricity is 100% backed by low-carbon generation. Perfect for all you eco-conscious people out there.
If it does sound like something that you could benefit from in your home I’d check it out for your home today.
I’d always recommend shopping around for a tariff that suits you as each household is different and we all have different needs.
Related Post: 10 Top Tips for Living a Low-Carbon Life at Home
Seal Up The Gaps
Another relatively easy step that you can take to be more energy efficient this Autumn & Winter is to seal up any gaps in your home. Unless you have a new home you will be losing heat through gaps in your windows, doors and floors.
40% of heat is lost in your home through your windows, doors and floors
You can buy *draft sealer products in most DIY stores or online at relatively low prices including…
- Self-adhesive strip draft sealers
- Under door sweep stripping
- Heavy-duty rubber seals
- Storm guards and more
Buy Thicker Curtains
Having thicker curtains helps to keep the heat trapped in your home. If you need to buy new curtains than perhaps consider thicker ones. Alternatively, if you already have curtains in your home you can buy material which you can attach to the back to make them thicker.
I’d also highly recommend opening up your curtains during the day to get the most solar heat from the sun. Then close them again at dusk to trap in the heat you’ve collected during the day.
Related Post: Ethical Ways To Keep Warm This Winter
Rugs on the Floor
If you have wooden or stone flooring downstairs in your home it’s worth considering putting rugs down to keep the heat in. As I said earlier you lose quite a bit of heat through your floors.
Insulate your Water Tank
If you have a water tank at home it’s a really good idea to insulate it to help stop heat loss and keep your water hotter for longer.
Turn Off Appliances
Another simple tip is to remember to always turn off your appliances. Don’t leave them on standby. Appliances that are left on still draw energy; often called ‘Vampire Energy’.
Leaving your appliance on can add up to 10% on your energy bill
So it’s definitely worth turning them off after you’ve used them.
Related Post: How To Create a More Sustainable Home
Turn Your Heating Down and Put On A Jumper!
For every degree you increase your heating by you increase your energy use by around 5-10% so even just turning it down by 1 degree will make a difference.
My advice would be to turn it down a bit, put on your slippers and a nice warm jumper.
How To Be Energy Efficient this Autumn & Winter – Video
So that’s my top tips for how to be energy efficient this Autumn & Winter. Do you have any extra tips to add? If so leave them in the comments section below.
*Affiliate links
Collaborative Post
This is a collaborative post with EDF Energy.
As always, I only ever recommend products or services that I either use myself or I feel will help you to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
For more info visit my terms & conditions page.
we’re the opposite here in Dubai, we need to keep cool, so during the summer we don’t heat our water as it comes out the taps at 42c, but we do run our aircon full time. We’ve also bought black out blinds to keep the ehat out to reduce aircon costs and make sure all gaps are sealed to stop the cold air escaping #goinggreen
Good ideas! One way to save energy year round is to unplug devices you are not using – nearly everything from printers, to microwaves have computers and drain power when plugged in. #GoingGreen
Oh I love your pics! great to share these all in the same post, I’m sure there is something everyone can do 🙂 #GoingGreen
Great tips, they’re easy enough that anyone can take steps towards being more sustainable. Something I always mention is insulating the attic, people always tend to forget about it and so much heat is lost up there.
Great tips!
A couple of years ago our apartment was incredibly cold and we realised after two very cold winters that we have massive gaps in our balcony doors! We sealed them up and the next winter we were SOOOOO much warmer!
Great tips! I’ve never really been one for turning the heating on until I’m shivering, but I’ve noticed my teenage daughter ALWAYS has it on when I’m out! No wonder my bills are going up LOL
Louise x
Fantastic suggestions for this time of year. I keep picking up hand wash jumpers frustratingly. #GoingGreen
Some great tips here! I’m always one for putting on an extra jumper, but a great idea to add more rugs!
Thank you for sharing. We live in a very old and drafty house, we need to work harder on some energy efficiency things!
#goinggreen
Great tips. The first thing that normally comes to mind is sticking the heating on, but really I should just add a jumper! One day we will manage to upgrade our windows as I know they could be far more energy efficient!
Such great ideas. I didn’t know about the sealing gaps! I need this tip! I think I will check out where to get these sealers. It’s true we are all a bit guilty of just turning up the heating without thinking how efficient everything is. Perfect post now it’s just got so much colder.
I am currently sat here with with an extra layer of clothes and a hot water bottle … works for me and means I can delay lighting the fire for a couple of hours. And when I do light the fire it will also have dinner cooked on it and clothes hung above it to dry. I know not everyone can have a woodburner but it certainly helps us to be energy efficient. #GoingGreen