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Ban your standby button
About 8 to 10 per cent of the total electricity used in the average home is wasted when appliances are left on standby. Some appliances even use 25 per cent of their normal power in standby mode. (Source:biggreenswitch.co.uk)
Turn off unnecessary lights
With energy prices soaring, start driving down your bills by remembering to turn off unnecessary lights at home.
Tips on how to save energy
This is the fourth in a series of articles where British Gas helps you learn about new green' technology.
Tips on saving energy with British Gas
This is the third in a series of articles where British Gas helps you learn about new green' technology.
Don't leave your PC on 24 hours a day
Turn off your PC when away from your desk - (this may be difficult at work). A PC left running 24 hours a day would use £59 worth of electricity over a 12 month period and result in emissions of 716Kg of carbon dioxide a year. (source: www.admin.ox.ac.uk)
Look at your insulation
2:21pm Tuesday 24th July 2007
Loft insulation should be 270mm (10.5 inches) deep. If you put it in 10 years ago, it will have compacted and will need topping up or replacing. (source: Energy Saving Trust) (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Keep your boiler cosy
A hot water tank jacket costs £15-20 and can save £30 in a year. If you have an old one, fit an extra one - and insulate the first metre of pipe coming out of the top as well. Foam that fits around the pipe can be put on in seconds. (sources: Energy Saving Trust; NEA) (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Switch off your phone charger
When your mobile phone is charged, switch off or unplug the charger and save 10kg of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and £1.90 a year. (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Don’t overfill your fridge or freezer
Don't overfill your fridge or freezer. 3/4 full allows the air to circulate without extra burden on the motor as does keeping it in a cool place (not next to the oven or in full sun). (source: Energy Saving Trust) (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
Turn down your water temperature
Get out of hot water - turn down your hot water tank thermostat to 60C (140F). (sources: Energy Saving Trust; NEA.) (Submitted by the South West London Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - freephone number 0800 512012)
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