It is important to know that the amount of energy you use could have a massive impact on your future lifestyle. Unless action is taken to reduce emissions from our homes, our way of life in 2020 could be extremely different. Households could be forced to simpler standards of living, like that of previous generations. Modern appliances and gadgets, two car families, bath time and controllable thermostats could become obsolete by 2020. This is due to the current rates at which we consume energy. Households need to take responsibility for reducing emissions and create an eco-friendly environment for themselves and future generations. The current attitudes of the UK to climate change are contributing to an 'Energy Obesity' epidemic. It won’t alter your lifestyle, but it will benefit our future, save some energy today, here’s how… • Turn down your heating a degree or two, it can make all the difference and you won’t even feel the change. Doing this can cut your heating bill by 10% and save you £30 a year. • If you need to fit a shelf put it above a radiator, this will direct heat in to the room. • In the winter, hang heavy curtains at windows for added warmth, but tuck them behind the radiators, this will stop heat escaping. • If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or the economy programme, after all, that’s what it’s there for. • Only boil as much water as you need, just remember to cover the element. • A dripping tap wastes enough water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they are fully turned off. • Replace your light bulbs with energy saving recommended ones. Just one can reduce your lighting costs by up to £78. They last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs, far more economical. • Your energy provider may run some energy saving schemes where by they assess your energy usage and can help reduce your costs by over £250 every year. Check with them as it usually only involves a short questionnaire. • One third of all water used in the home is flushed down the toilet. If you fit a displacement device such as a hippo bag, available from your local water company, in the cistern you can save litres every flush. • Have a shower rather than a bath. A shower uses around 50 litres less than a bath and takes less time too. • If you want cooler water turn the hot tap down rather than the cold tap up, this uses less water. • You could save a bathful of water every day by using a mug to rinse after cleaning your teeth. Leaving the tap running will waste 10 litres of water a minute. • If your water is too hot it could be due to your cylinder thermostat. It shouldn't need to be any higher than 60ºC/140ºF. • Always turn off the lights when you leave a room. • Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave your mobile phone or laptop on charge unnecessarily. Energy saving may sound like common sense, but not enough people are following simple tips to become more economically friendly. If it saves you money too, it has got to be worth a try. Anna is a member of the website promotion team at Click Bathrooms
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