Washing a small load of clothes? Check you washing machine’s settings to see if you can use the “half load” programme to save water and energy.

When cooking you can often use the residual heat to to save energy if you switch your cooker off just before you finish cooking. However, you still need to make sure that your food is properly cooked through.

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.

Using lids on your pans when cooking will save energy and help heat the contents quicker.

A dripping tap can waste at least 5,500 litres of water a year. If this is hot water you’re also wasting the energy used to heat it. Get leaking taps fixed promptly.

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

Thermal or heavy blinds and curtains can help trap heat and reduce draughts. Close them at night to reduce heating bills.

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

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

If you need to use a tumble drier, make sure you use a full load and keep the lint filter clean. It will keep your machine working more efficiently saving energy while also reducing any risk of fire.