With Energy Saving Week taking place this January, it’s the perfect time to rethink how you heat your home and conserve water during the winter months. By making a few small yet effective changes, you can stay warm, save money, and contribute to a healthier planet. Here are ten simple and impactful tips to help you navigate the colder months ahead.
1. Wrap your home in warmth
Don’t let the heat escape! Insulate your loft, walls, and floors to keep the warmth where it belongs – inside your home. Use draught excluders to seal gaps under doors and around windows, stopping cold air from sneaking in. A cosy home is an efficient one!
2. Give your boiler some TLC
Your boiler works hard, so give it the attention it deserves. A well-maintained boiler uses less energy to heat your home, keeping your bills in check. Book an annual service to make sure everything is running smoothly.
3. Take control with a programmable thermostat
Why heat an empty house? A programmable thermostat lets you lower the temperature when you’re out or asleep and warm things up when you’re home. Smart and simple, it’s an easy way to save energy without sacrificing comfort.
4. Breathe new life into your radiators
Radiators can lose their efficiency if air gets trapped inside. Bleeding them releases this air, helping them heat up faster and use less energy. It’s a quick fix that can make a big difference in your home’s warmth.
5. Keep showers short and sweet
Long, hot showers feel great but use a lot of water and energy. Reducing your shower time by two minutes can lead to big savings. For extra motivation, try a shower timer to stay on track.
6. Stop leaks in their tracks
A dripping tap might not seem like a big deal, but it can waste gallons of water over time. Fix leaks as soon as you notice them to save water — and prevent bigger issues down the road. Find out how to spot leaks in your home early and prevent them from causing costly bills and damage with the Affinity Water Look & Listen test.
7. Upgrade to water-saving gadgets
Low-flow showerheads and tap aerators are excellent tools for saving water without compromising performance. At Affinity Water, we offer free water-saving devices to help you make a difference — why not order yours today?
8. Wash smart, not hard
Washing clothes at 30°C gets the job done while using less energy. Modern detergents are designed to work just as well at lower temperatures, so you’ll save money and keep your clothes looking great.
9. Focus heat where you need it
Why heat rooms you’re not using? Close the doors to unused spaces and focus your heating on the areas you spend the most time in. It’s a simple way to cut energy waste and stay cosy.
10. Track your usage
Knowledge is power! Keep an eye on your energy and water consumption with My Account to identify patterns and find areas where you can save even more. If you don’t have a water meter yet, consider applying for one here to help monitor your usage. Plus, Affinity Water’s first-ever Smart Metering initiative is rolling out in 2025, bringing even more ways to track and save.