<p>Cut the cost of your home energy bills with some simple steps and help the environment at the same time.<br />
We all want to save a bit of money, particularly now that energy bills seem to be rising regularly. Use a few of these ideas and watch the bills fall so that you can put the saved money to better use.<br />
Strike a light<br />
Old, inefficient light bulbs are one thing that can be changed easily to save you some money.<br />
Energy efficient light bulbs can help take as much as £25 off your electricity bill each year.<br />
Replace traditional bulbs as soon as possible.<br />
You can also try switching to LED light bulbs. These are designed to last for a very long time – as much as 20 years – and can use as little as 10% of the energy of a traditional bulb. They’re an investment, but they’ll pay for themselves very quickly.<br />
<strong>Save money on your home appliances</strong><br />
Not many people realise that they can save money on the weekly wash. Washing clothes at a lower temperature can save a great deal of money over the course of a year, as it can mean a reduction of up to 40% in electricity used.<br />
The main consumer of electricity for the laundry is the tumble dryer. Electric models are not known for their energy efficiency, so switching to a gas dryer can save a great deal of energy yet do exactly the same job.<br />
There are other alternatives as well. Heated airers cost only pennies to run for several hours and can dry clothes fairly quickly while holding a whole load easily.<br />
There are other appliances that can consume a great deal of energy, so it’s a good idea to check each one to make sure it’s working efficiently. Fridges are switched on all the time – if you need to get a new one, opt for an energy efficient model and you’ll see the difference in the energy bill.<br />
Before putting food into a refrigerator, it should be cooled first to prevent the fridge from working too hard. Check seals regularly to make sure that they’re still working and make sure that the appliance is defrosted regularly.<br />
Heating the home can account for a large proportion of energy bills, so money saving tips are essential here. Electric powered heating is particularly expensive, so if at all possible, find a cheaper alternative.<br />
This could include switching to gas central heating or solid fuel. Those who have a solid fuel burner that can also run radiators and heat the hot water will find that their energy bills are reduced dramatically.<br />
One of the main issues with gadgets in the home is that they are left switched on when they’re not in use. By switching them off properly rather than leaving them on standby, this can lead to plenty of money saving potential.<br />
We tend not to think about the energy we use when cooking, but there are savings to be made here. Ovens do not necessarily need to be preheated and can often be switched off five or 10 minutes early, as the oven will still be hot and the food will still cook.<br />
Andrea Vaned writes for www.MyFamilyClub.co.uk the UK’s first website dedicated solely to saving, managing and making money for families. The website brings together all the best ways to save money with weekly supermarket price checks, deals and voucher codes; manage money with tools like budget planners and a pre-paid MasterCard; and make money with useful guides, eBooks and eCourses.</p>

Money Saving Tips – Be Energy Efficient In The Home
