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Do you consider yourself to be eco-conscious around the home? Whether you’re a homeowner, a rental tenant or living with parents, we all have a responsibility for the energy we use. Household appliances are significant contributors – though there are ways to reduce their impact.

UK household electricity use has dropped in recent years, thanks in part to more energy-efficient appliances, but we still have a long way to go. Read our tips below on how to save energy through items like your washing machine, TV and shower.

Upgrade to more efficient appliances

Using the right appliance in the first place is a guaranteed way to save energy. Some demand more energy than others, so if your washing machine, dishwasher or fridge-freezer is on its last legs, it could be time for an upgrade.

Older appliances are generally more likely to break down too. If one gives up and you need an urgent replacement, a long-term loan could help spread the initial cost of a more energy-efficient model. However, you should always ensure you can cover the repayments if you do choose to apply for a loan.

Avoid standby

Do you leave all electrical appliances on standby because you’re worried about resetting them? It’s easy just to forget sometimes too – but turning your TV, computer and other similar devices off at the plug can save energy and is unlikely to do them harm.

Avoiding standby mode might make a surprising difference to your electricity bills. Check your devices’ instructions first if you’re unsure.

Use appliances to capacity

Do you have a habit of running dishwasher or washing machine cycles when the appliance isn’t full? While you might want to clear dirty dishes or clean certain clothing items right away, it’s more efficient to wait until you have a full load.

So-called ‘wet appliances’ use lots of energy due to the effort needed to heat up water. Another similar tip is to use your oven and hob to cook for more than one person at a time.

Make use of eco-friendly settings

If you’re lucky enough to have modern appliances already, most will come with built-in eco settings that use less energy in one way or another. Explore these settings if you haven’t already – they could work just as effectively as what you’re used to.

Stuck with an old washing machine? You can still manually set a lower temperature for regular washes.

Don’t use more water than you need

A final eco-friendly tip is to limit water consumption to what you actually need. Fill the kettle up with precise amounts of water for cooking or hot drinks to avoid wasting heat and make an effort to take shorter and less powerful showers.

It could be worth investing in a water-efficient shower head if your shower takes hot water straight from your boiler.

Could any of these tips make a big difference to your home’s energy use?

Sam Allcock