If you’re guilty of doing it, you won’t be alone – but cutting it out can help your bank balance this winter
NO FULL FLUSH
Nancy Emery, lifestyle expert at Drench, says: “According to Waterwise, we use almost a third of our water (30%) for toilet flushing. Most modern toilets will come with a dual flush mechanism, with a flush volume of six litres and a half option using just three. This means that there is potential to save three litres of water using the half flush, and could amount to a saving of around 24 litres of water per person per day.
OVEN VS AIR FRYER
Gwil Snook, appliance expert at AO : “Air fryers use less energy and cook food faster, making them ideal for quick meals. Many models even come with dual drawers so you can cook multiple dishes at once. And if you’re batch cooking, reheating in the microwave or air fryer is far more cost-effective than using the oven again.”
PICK A MICROWAVE
Stats from cnet.com and Robert Dyas reveal that microwaves use up to a whopping 80% less energy than conventional ovens. One hour in the oven for a jacket potato or less than 10 minutes in a microwave? It’s a no-brainer when it comes to energy-saving.
QUICK FIX
Nancy says: “A dripping tap can waste over 450 litres a day, or a huge 175,000 litres of water in a year! This costs the average homeowner over £300 extra on their water bill, which can be prevented with a simple fix.”
RADIATOR MAINTENANCE
Caroline Mills, head of brand at Safestyle, says: “Over time, air can become trapped in your radiators, stopping them from working properly. Bleeding your radiators regularly helps heat flow around your home, keeping it warmer and creating a cosy environment.”
SHUT YOUR CURTAINS
Caroline says: “Windows are one of the main culprits of heat loss in homes, especially older or single-glazed ones. By drawing your curtains, you create an extra layer of insulation that helps keep the warm in and the cold out.”
TREAT STAINS IMMEDIATELY
Michelle Feng, laundry expert at Hisense says: “Quick action prevents stains from setting. Gently blot with a cloth and cold water to lift as much as possible. Then, pre-treat with a stain remover or mild detergent – allow it to soak in for a few minutes before washing. Choose a colder setting for grass and food stains, or a higher temperature for tougher marks such as ink spills.”
UNWANTED DRAUGHTS
Caroline says: “Check for gaps around windows, doors, and letterboxes where heat might escape. Sealing these with weather stripping or draught excluders is a quick and cheap way to prevent heat loss.” Try this one for £14, from Dunelm.
VARY SUBSCRIPTIONS
Liz Hunter, commercial director at MoneyExpert says: “Leapfrog your subscriptions. Instead of juggling multiple subscriptions, try rotating your streaming services to save money and only subscribe as and when there are things you really want to watch.”
WASH WHITES SEPARATELY
Michelle says: “Even light colours such as beige or light grey can release small amounts of dye during the wash which can dull or discolour your clothes over time and once this happens, it can be almost impossible to get them back to their original colour and quality.”
XTRA CLEAN
Nancy says: “Shower heads can become clogged with limescale and mineral deposits, particularly in hard water areas. If this limescale blocks the nozzles, you’ll need to turn up the power on your shower to get the same flow. Even worse, if the nozzles are directing water sideways, this water will be diverted away from you and go straight down the plug hole. Remove the shower head and soak it in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water for a few hours to dissolve mineral buildup.”
YOU’VE ALREADY PAID
Andrew Haydon, home improvement expert at Simply Plastics, says: “After you’ve cooked dinner, don’t let all that residual oven heat go to waste. Turn the oven off and open the door slightly to let the warmth into your kitchen. You’ve already paid for it, so let it do double duty.”
ZZZ APPLIANCES
Gwil says: “Unplug any device you are not actively using. Electronics on standby mode still consume energy so be mindful to unplug things like your TVs, games consoles and chargers when not in use.”
