Gas and electricity are embedded in our way of life, but how we use them and understand billing details are not widely understood by the majority.

Over the years I have undertaken many energy saving trials based upon behavioural change.

Behavioural change is the hardest of all changes, but it is the cheapest and most cost effective way.

If we are honest few of us like or embrace change.

In 2011 I was pushing for sustainability change and promoted a campaign – Passively, Actively,Behaviourally, the three critical changes to a property to create a healthy, happy and low carbon, (aka low energy bills), environment. These three changes were based upon the easiest to adapt to and live with.

Passively was all about changes to the structure, basically, insulate, insulate, insulate and then insulate items you had never thought to insulate! Back in 2011 people talked a good job but there was no desire by business to invest. Now at long last in 2021 businesses are beginning to express a desire

and are finding the money. There is still a long way to go and the practical aspects should not be lost 

Actively was about the physical interaction between a resident and their home, the controls and switches they have to manage in the main their heating and hot water. The harder they are to use the less the controls get used. Over 4 years of visits to people in their homes I think it’s fair to say that 95% don’t use their heating controls, finding them too complicated, preferring to use the thermostat dial to turn heating on and off! There’s a lot to be said for KISS!

Behaviourally, are the little things that a resident or building user can do, turn off lights etc etc. But these whilst simple are the hardest of all to do. There are many tricks to lower energy bills but still lead a comfortable life:

• If you have a combination boiler do you know how to turn a hot tap on so that you can save up to £60 per year?
• Do you know how to load your freezer to save energy? Freezers run 24/7 and quietly add to your electricity bill.
• Your central heating thermostat, what do you set it to? How much do you think one degree difference makes to your annual gas bill?
• How do you turn your heating on and off? 95% of the homes I have visited never use the timer!
• Do you have an old analogue timer for your heating, ie with pins you push in and out, did you know you can save up to 20% of your gas heating bill by how you set it?
• Correctly fitted and sized curtains can reduce your heating bills.
• Ever heard of radiator reflectors?
• Never leave a light on in an empty room.
• It’s a myth that a smart meter saves you energy and money!
• A dehumidifier will cost you £1 a day to run, much cheaper to purge ventilate each morning when you wake, open every window all at same time for 5 minutes.