This week: Energy
1Change your electricity provider: We don't have a set against the ESB or any love for their rivals, but by switching to Bord Gáis Energy or Airtricity consumers will knock at least 10 per cent off their annual electricity bill. And switching is genuinely easy.
2Energy efficient light bulbs: Switch to these and they will reduce your lighting bills by a staggering 80 per cent and the bulbs are getting better all the time, honest.
3Turn down the temperature: Washing your clothes at 40 degrees instead of 60 uses 40 per cent less power and turning your thermostat down by just a single degree will knock as much as €120 off your annual heating bill.
4Insulate your attic: This will cut your heating bill by 25 per cent while lagging your hot water tank will save the average house €2.50 a week – if you live for the next 50 years lagging today will save you €6,500.
5Standby costs: Leaving the TV and stereo on standby and the mobile phone charge plugged in will cost you around €100 in wasted electricity every year. Leave the computer plugged in for a while so you can carry out a home energy audit on www.powerofone.ie.
