Are you trying to become more energy efficient in your home but a little unsure of how to start? Reducing the amount of energy you use at home will not only make your bills cheaper, it will also go that little way to protecting the environment around us. Follow these seven easy tips and you’ll start to become energy efficient in no time.

Don’t stay on standby

It’s easy simply to use the remote to turn off the TV before bed, but leaving appliances on standby means they are still using electricity and wasting energy. So, before you go to bed, think about your energy efficiency and switch it off at the main power source. That goes for your laptop and mobile phone being continually left on charge unnecessarily too. It’s quick, easy and will save you loads of energy.

Turn down the thermostat

Reducing your room temperature by just 1°C could cut your heating bills by ten percent and in most cases will save around $100 each year. Also, if you have a programmer, simply set your heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time.

Load up all the way

You may have a few dirty plates and dishes after dinner, but not yet enough for a full load in the dishwasher. Of course you can load them in when you tidy the kitchen but don’t stick it on until you can completely fill it up. One full load will use much less energy than two half loads meaning you’ll expend much less energy.

Use energy efficient light bulbs

Not only will these produce the same amount of light as a standard bulb, they’ll only use a fraction of the electricity which could save you as much as $75 per year. If you have incandescent bulbs anywhere, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs. They use about one third the power of an equivalent incandescent bulb, and are compatible with existing light fittings.

Make sure you’re insulated

One of the biggest ways to make your home much more energy efficient is by installing insulation to stop heat escaping. It’s relatively easy to install and could make huge savings every year on your energy bills. Have a look around your home for drafts around doors, windows and electrical sockets. If you find any drafts, get them sealed up!

Motion Sensors

There is no point in lighting an office if there is nobody in it! You could ask people to turn out the lights when they leave a room, but if you really want to make sure, think about putting in motion sensors. These will turn out the lights when no one is in the room, and turn them back on automatically when people come back in. You can buy light switches with built-in sensors, which is an easy way to start saving money!

Shop Around for the Best Rates

The days of electricity monopolies are long gone, and there are many suppliers to choose from. There are comparison sites on the web to help you find the cheapest supplier, and switching is relatively easy. Check rates regularly and be prepared to switch again if your supplier is no longer competitive.

As you can see, following these quick and easy tips will start to save you money and cut your bill in no time.

So, what kinds of things have you done to increase your energy efficiency? Please share.