Draught excluders are a cheap way of cutting out the chill from poorly fitting doors and windows. Most are also easy to fit, a simple DIY task.

Use a microwave. Generally a microwave oven is the most efficient way to heat up and cook food.

Check the programmer on your heating and hot water to make sure the timings match your needs. If you don’t have a seven-day programmer fitted consider getting one.

Boiling food on the hob? Only use the water you need to save energy.

Use the sun to reduce your heating bills. Leave internal doors open to rooms which trap the sun so the heat can spread to other areas.

Still using tungsten, halogen or fluorescent bulbs? Changing to LED lighting can save energy and money.

If your charger has an LED to show it’s in use, it is still using energy until you switch it off at the wall or unplug it.

Keeping extract fans and vents clean and clear from obstruction reduces energy use and makes then work more efficiently.

Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save up to £8 a year off your energy bills, per person. With a water meter this could save a further £11 off annual water and sewerage bills. If everyone in a four-person household did this it would lead to a total saving of £75 a year.

Remember to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth – a running tap wastes over 6 litres per minute.