From Guest Blogger James Timpson: How Much Energy Are You Wasting at Home?

There are two main benefits to lowering our energy usage in the home. First, as we lessen our consumption we reduce our electricity bills. Second, by lowering our carbon footprint we are helping to preserve natural resources.

However, before we can reduce our energy wastage we need to understand exactly how much electricity we use on a daily basis. We then need to recognize which appliances consume the most energy and therefore which areas within our home have the best potential for making savings.
Monitor Your Consumption

Your quarterly bill is the first indicator of how much electricity you are using but this isn’t the whole story. To get a better understanding of our usage an energy monitor can highlight your consumption in real time. For example, as you boil the kettle or vacuum the floor you can see how much energy you have just used.

It’s also important to understand how much each appliance costs per hour to run. To get an overview of this you can take a look at the infographic What Uses Watt? This compares the cost of running every device and it’s enlightening to see which ones are contributing most to your electricity bill. One thing which becomes clear is energy usage is usually higher for appliances generating heat or movement when compared against those producing light or sound. However, you also have to factor in how long you use something for.
Where Does Most Energy Wastage Come From?

· Poor Insulation

A home which is badly insulated will lose a great deal of heat through the roof, walls or poorly fitted doors or windows. As heat is one of the most expensive things to create, this can lead to considerable wasted energy and higher costs. Look to these areas first if you want to lower your bills.

Even if your house is well insulated you may still be keeping the temperature too high. Turning your thermostat down a degree or two and putting it on a timer, so it is only on when you are at home, can make a big difference to your bills.

· Leaving Appliances Switched On

Lights should be switched off when you leave a room and dimmer switches can help to reduce energy wastage.

All appliances should be turned off from the wall, rather than left in standby mode, as otherwise they are still drawing energy. Chargers should only be left on for the time necessary and then disconnected.

The way you cook can also make a big difference to your energy consumption. Slow cookers and microwaves use much less energy than a conventional oven. Kettles should only be filled with as much water as you need, rather than filling them to the top every time.

Large appliances like washing machines and dishwashers should always be run on a full load as this will help to conserve both water and energy.

· Using Outdated Equipment

Another way to waste energy is to keep using very outdated equipment. Appliances are ever evolving and becoming more energy efficient, so when you make a new purchase always check the energy rating label and only purchase those labelled ‘A’ or above.
Take It One Step at a Time

Once you have measured your starting point of energy consumption you can then work to reduce your usage in each area of the house. As you do so, you will see your bills fall. For additional ways to conserve energy take a look at the list provided by the Energy Saving Trust. If you continue to utilise an energy monitor you can draw the household together as you compete to see who can conserve the most energy and save the most money.