• When buying heaters, make sure that they are the right size for the rooms they are to heat, and that they have thermostatic controls.
• Remember that electric heaters other than storage heaters consume electricity at the most expensive charge rate.
• Use a space or portable heater instead of the central heater, if only one room needs heating.
• Choose heaters with thermostat controls and timers.
  

• Turn off the heating overnight and when you are out during the day.
• Turn off the heating if you are going to be out of the house for more than a day.
• Proper control and regular maintenance of your heating system can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20%
• If you have gas heating, turn-off pilot lights during the warmer months.
• Heat bedroom areas to less than 18oC
• 20oC is an ideal room temperature. Turning down thermosats by 1oC can reduce annual space heating energy consumption by 10% with an equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
  

• Open fires are wasteful of energy with more than 70% of the energy going up the chimney.
• If the radiator is mounted below a window, a projecting window-board or shelf above the radiator will direct warm air into the room, reducing heat loss through the window.
• Close doors to separate heated from unheated areas of your home, and minimise the area you are heating.
  

• Use the timer on immersion heaters. This should supply you with enough hot water as and when you need.
• Heating hot water account for 64% of energy consumption in the home: you should be thrifty in its use.
• 90% of the energy consumption of washing machines goes on heating the water. Wash clothes whenever possible in cold or cool water.
  

• Much of the heat loss from a house occurs through the windows particularly if they are single glazed. Keep curtains closed at night and ensure that the curtains don't hang over the radiators.
• A reflective foil, backed by insulation if space permits should be fixed behind radiators mounted on external walls.
• A lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep water hotter for longer and pay for itself in 2-3 months.
• If replacing the hot water cylinder, a cylinder with factory applied insulation should be considered. Such insulation is more effective at retaining heat than a lagging jacket, is less easily damaged and cannot be pulled out of place.
• Insulate your attic and save up to 20% on your home heating bill.

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