| Saving energy in the home is becoming an | | | | contributors in household energy bills; hence it is |
| increasingly important aspect in modern living. With | | | | advisable to wash clothes at lower temperatures as |
| rising fuel costs and the wider environmental issues | | | | much of the energy used by a washing machine is |
| everyone should do their part to save energy where | | | | used to heat water. It can be worth using |
| possible. What follows are some energy saving tips | | | | detergents that work well at low temperatures so |
| for the home that should help to reduce fuel costs | | | | that the cleanliness of clothes is not sacrificed. |
| with the added benefit of helping the environment. | | | | 5. When it comes to washing and bathing taking |
| 1. The first and most important energy saving tip has | | | | showers instead of baths is one of the best ways to |
| to be to monitor which electrical appliances are left | | | | save energy. Additionally by timing how long you |
| on standby for extended periods of time. It is | | | | spend in the shower and keeping this to a minimum it |
| estimated that by ensuring electronics are switched | | | | is possible to reduce energy bills further. |
| off the average family can save around forty pounds | | | | 6. Lighting is one of the major contributors to |
| a year just by doing this. Fortunately many consumer | | | | household energy use; around fifteen percent of |
| electronics companies are now producing goods that | | | | energy used in the home can be attributed to lighting. |
| use less power in standby. | | | | By using energy efficient light bulbs it is possible to |
| 2. By regularly defrosting the fridge it is possible to | | | | reduce this considerably, some bulbs actually use |
| reduce energy costs. This may sound absurd but | | | | around eighty percent less energy than older |
| regular defrosting increases the efficiency of the | | | | counterparts. |
| device meaning it takes less energy to keep items | | | | 7. Heating bills are becoming extremely high for many |
| cool and fresh. | | | | households and one of the most well known energy |
| 3. Throwing away batteries is not only wasteful but | | | | saving tips has to be turning the thermostat down. |
| is also bad for the environment as many people still | | | | Some estimates state that around ten percent can |
| throw these in the regular rubbish meaning that they | | | | be saved by turning the thermostat down by just |
| end up on landfill sites where the acid leaked is | | | | one and a half degrees Celsius. |
| extremely harmful to the ecosystem. Households can | | | | 8. Finally, for those with tumble dryers it is best not |
| reduce the amount of batteries they use by buying | | | | to use them. Practically all tumble dryers use massive |
| rechargeable batteries; this also helps to keep | | | | amounts of electricity; hence if outside space is |
| household costs down. | | | | available this should be used to dry clothes. |
| 4. Washing machines once again are major | | | | |