Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1ºC could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent and typically saves around £55 per year. If you have a programmer, set your heating and hot water to come on only when required rather than all the time. Installing home insulation can help you keep your home just as warm with your thermostat set at a lower temperature.

Install home insulation. Almost a third of the heat in your home could be escaping through the walls and up to 26% through the roof. Installing loft insulation and cavity wall insulation can help to prevent this – saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint. Home owners and private tenants are entitled to significant grants to help with the cost.

Is your water too hot? You may have your cylinder thermostat set too high. It should be set at 60ºC/140ºF. Turning it down will save energy, save money and will be safer for you and your family.

Closing your curtains at dusk can help to stop heat escaping through the windows and makes your home more energy efficient. You should also check for draughts around windows and doors.

Always turn off the lights when you leave a room to lower your carbon footprint.

Don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave laptops and mobile phones on charge unnecessarily.

When using the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, remember that one full load uses less energy than two half loads.

Only boil as much water as you need (but always remember to cover the elements if you’re using an electric kettle).

A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in just one week will waste enough hot water to fill half a bath! Make sure taps are turned off after use and fix any leaking taps as soon as possible.

Use energy saving light bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs, and using one can save you around £40 over the lifetime of the bulb.