Energy saving tips

There are a number of simple steps you can take to save energy and money.

Energy Services, Newcastle City Council gives advice to people in Newcastle on their helpline about energy use in the home, how to reduce fuel bills, and how to keep warm.

Save electricity

• replace your light bulbs with energy saving lightbulbs. They use 20% of the energy of regular light bulbs and last 10 times longer
• turn off lights when you don’t need them
• only fill the kettle with the amount of water that is needed. Always switch electrical items off, don’t leave them on stand-by.
• always put a full load in the washing machine
• air dry your clothes to avoid using the tumble dryer
• use tumble dryer balls or add a dry towel to your tumble dryer to speed up your drying time
• use eco settings on your dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer
• turn your washing machine down to 20 degrees or use a cold wash
• turn off chargers
• don’t leave things on stand by
• check the energy rating when buying new appliances

Energy Saving Trust have some quick tips to save energy

The Powergrid – Energy Saving App is free and full of advice, guidance and top tips to help you be energy efficient in every room in your house. The independent advice helps you make informed decisions for your household. Download from Apple Store and Google Play.

Our Gas and Electricity article has more information about Winter fuel payments, priority services register and more.

Energy switching

There aren’t many better deals on the market so switching energy providers won’t make many savings at the moment. The price cap sets the standard variable tariff. There are some fixed deals which match this, although generally these are only available to a supplier’s existing customers.

Heating and hot water

More than half the money spent on gas bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves could save you around £75 a year.

• if you have a full set of controls, turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £80 a year
• make sure you maintain 21C in the living room if an older person or someone with a disability spends a lot of time there
• insulate your hot water tank and pipes.
• install loft insulation to reduce your home’s heat loss by 25%
• installing cavity wall insulation can reduce heat loss by 35%
• turn down radiators in rooms that are not being used
• do not obstruct radiators with furniture.
• close doors and windows while the heating is on to stop your money going out of the window.
• fix dripping taps

Check your home’s energy rating if your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), it will recommend the measures you can install to improve the rating. If you rent from a private landlord you must have an EPC and it must be rated E or above unless they have applied for an exemption 

Help with heating problems and how to pay for them has more information about insulating your home, help with energy debt and more.

Newcastle City Council Energy Services provides energy advice and develops projects to help residents access funding to improve the energy efficiency of homes.

RiCD (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) provide consumer advice and have a helpful section on their website about: Central Heating Controls

Last updated: November 10, 2023