There’s a lot of talk at the moment about the cost of energy – whether that’s financial, environmental or both. The good news is: there are lots of things you can do to help your home be more energy efficient, cut costs and feel cosier too.
Environmental charity Hubbub is on the case to inspire people to make positive changes to help you reduce energy use (and the bills too), so we asked them for their top tips.
Give them a go and see how you get on.

Energy-saving tips
Heating & lighting
If you can, turning down your thermostat from 22°C to 21°C can save £120 a year in GB and £80 in NI on energy bills.*
Time your heating to come on only when you need it.
Insulate your home with thermal curtains, draught excluders and window tape.
Switch to LED lights in every room. Remember to turn them off when you leave!
Turning down the flow temperature on your combi boiler to 60°c or below can knock money off your heating bill each year and reduce energy waste**
Hot water & appliances
Try to take showers instead of baths and limit showers to under four minutes. You can also time your hot water heater to only be on when you need it.
Look for the green ‘A’ rating on new appliances.
Use app-linked smart plugs and smart bulbs to control energy use.
Laundry
Save energy on heating water by setting your washing machine to 30°C, and only wash clothing when you really need to.
Air dry your clothes instead of tumble drying – heated airers are a great alternative.
Avoid adding wet clothes directly to a radiator, as you’ll reduce airflow.
Entertainment
Don’t leave electricals on standby. If charging, make sure to turn them off as soon as the battery is full.
Switch your devices like TVs, laptops and phones to eco-mode if they have one, to save power and money.

Keeping cosy
The fluffy stuff
Use thermal curtains, rugs and draught excluders to help keep warmth in and reduce heat loss around your home.
Invest in a rugs and high-tog duvet for winter or add some throws to trap that cosy air.
The not-so fluffy stuff
Bleed your radiators to make sure heat can flow effectively through your home.
Insulate water pipes and tanks with lagging to stop heat from escaping and keep your water hot until it reaches you at the tap.
Quickly fix cracked or damaged seals around windows and doors to reduce draughts.

Cooking more with less energy
Defrosting frozen food in the fridge overnight reduces the cooking time or the need for a microwave to help defrost.
Batch cooking meals in the oven then storing in the fridge saves more energy than heating up your oven every time.
Make sure you know how long it takes your oven to heat up so you're ready to start cooking straight away.
Heat escapes every time you open the oven door, meaning the oven uses more energy to get back up to temperature. Keep the glass clean and use the oven light to check on your food instead.
Make the most of your oven's heat by switching it off a few minutes early for things like roast veg, jacket potatoes or bakes, and let the residual heat finish the job. For meat, poultry, fish and anything you're reheating, cook for the full time and check it's steaming hot all the way through before serving.
Steaming uses less water and keeps more nutrients in your veg.
Put lids on pans to cook food faster and use less energy.
Boiling water in the kettle is faster and uses less energy than boiling on the hob. Only boil as much as you need.
Slow cookers are one of the most energy-efficient kitchen appliances as they’re very low-power and can help you batch-cook meals.
Cleaning up time? A fully loaded dishwasher is more energy efficient than hand washing.

Whether you're draught-proofing, making smart swaps or adding a few comforting touches around the home, every little change can add up. 
To help you create a snug, warm space you'll love spending time in, explore these ways to stay cosy.
*According to the Energy Savings Trust.
**According to the Money Saving Boiler Challenge.