UNITED'S ENERGY PLAYBOOK
Thanks to our friends at Baxi, we've pulled together some of the quickest, simplest and most effective things you can do to reduce energy use around the house, help the environment and save you money.
Just like in football, teamwork is crucial. Small actions by each supporter can lead to significant environmental benefits and cost savings. As part of United’s Energy Playbook, we’ll not only show you what you can do, but our ‘did you know?’ section also highlights what could be achieved if all our Season Ticket Holders worked together…..
Explore the tips and tricks below to be more energy efficient this year! What’s more, implement the ones that won’t cost you a penny and you could save up to £556* - that’s more than enough to pay for your Season Ticket!
Baxter knows, so be more Baxter!
BAXTER'S TOP 10 ENERGY SAVING TIPS
1. DIAL IT DOWN 🔥
The recommended temperature for a domestic thermostat is 21oC (if you are mainly sitting), or around 18oC when you are being more active and moving around the home.
Amazingly, turning the thermostat down by just one degree could save you around £145* on heating bills per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Did you know? That could be a collective CO2e reduction per year equivalent to around 2,500,000 fewer miles being driven!*
2. CHANGE THE FLOW 💧
The water temperature when it leaves your boiler or hot water cylinder is usually set too high. Turn it down a bit to cut your energy bills by up to 12% and you could save around £65*.
If you have a combi boiler, set your flow temperature to 50oC for heating and 55oC for hot water.
If you have a hot water cylinder, you could try to turn the temperature down to 60oC to see the benefits. This temperature will prevent the growth of harmful bacteria like Legionella, so please don’t turn it down any lower than this.
3. DON'T BE ON STANDBY 🔋
Turn your appliances off standby – you can even buy a standby saver with a remote control to switch everything off standby at once! Remembering to unplug phone chargers and switch appliances off standby could save around £65* a year.
Find out which appliances use the most energy in your home.
Did you know? That could save enough energy per year to power 56 million smartphone charges!*
4. TURN OUT THE LIGHTS! 💡
Lighting makes up around 11% of a typical power bill. Turn off the lights when you leave a room to save around £25* a year. Better still, LEDs use 70-80% less electricity – so make the switch.
According to the Energy Savings Trust, the average household in the UK has around 34 bulbs – going LED could save between £4-£10* per bulb, per year!
5. MIND THE GAP 🚪
Preventing that icy blast blowing around doors, windows and other gaps can trap warmth and help your spend on energy go further.
There are many ways cold air can get into the home. To stop heat escaping, draft proofing can be installed to external doors and openable windows, as well as to unused chimneys that are open to the elements. The Energy Savings Trust has worked out that by treating problem areas in the home, the average household could expect to save around £125* per year.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you don't block any air vents when you are draught-proofing your home, as they are essential for letting damp air out and keeping the air in your home dry and healthy.
You’ll also keep more heat in your home with less energy if you pull your blinds or curtains before it gets dark!
Did you know? That could see a CO2e reduction per year equivalent to the amount absorbed annually by around 23,000 trees!*
6. FILL THE BOX UP 🧺
Make sure your washing machine and dishwasher are full before you turn them on. Opting for a cold or 30oC cycle on your washing machine, alongside reducing the number of times you use it weekly by just once, could save you £34* a year. And if you reduce the number of times you run the dishwasher by once a week, you could save a further £17*.
7. BE SMART 🤓
Smart meters don't just help you track your spending and spot power-hungry appliances, they also unlock a new world of smart tariffs.
Speak to your energy provider about having a smart meter fitted. Most are simple to use and can help reduce energy consumption, as it is much easier to see how and where energy is being used in the home, on a daily basis.
Did you know? That could save enough energy per year to power nearly 600,000 loads of washing!*
8. TAKE CONTROL 🎛️
If you don’t have them already, ask your installer about fitting a full set of heating controls: a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves could save you £180* a year – paying for themselves in just four years!
9. AIR DRYER TREATMENT 💨
Ditch the tumble dryer and dry your clothes on a washing line or clotheshorse and you could save as much as £70* a year. Trying to dry clothes on a radiator only makes your boiler work harder so resist the temptation!
Did you know? That could result in a collective saving per year of around £250,000!*
10. EVERYONE LOVES A TRANSFER 🔁
Spend to Save - Invest in a more efficient heating solution. If your boiler is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it with a more efficient one. There is also the option to upgrade to a renewable heating system by installing an Air Source Heat Pump. Although these both involve an initial outlay, the long-term financial benefits of cost savings on energy bills will balance out. With grants currently available, there’s no time like the present to get your home fit & sustainable for the future of heat. Find out more about Baxi heating solutions & Government grants HERE.
*Estimated figures and savings.
MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO SAVE ENERGY
ENERGY SAVING TRUST
Check out their site for loads more helpful energy saving advice.
SMART ENERGY GB
Smart Energy GB is a government campaign bringing smart meters to the UK. Their site highlights all the ways you can use your smart meter to use energy more efficiently.
MORE HELPFUL TIPS FROM BAXI
HOMEOWNER - ENERGY SAVING SELF HELP
FAQ's | Baxi Heating and Hot Water Solutions
Should I turn off my Boiler in the summer | Baxi FAQs
How do I set up holiday mode? | Baxi FAQs
Why are my radiators cold | Baxi FAQs
Why should I get a magnetic filter fitted | Baxi FAQs
What are the benefits of a Boiler Service | Baxi FAQs
CONTROLS
Baxi uSense 2 smart room controller - YouTube
How can I set the schedule for my central heating?
Different hot water settings and how to change them | Baxi FAQs
HOMEOWNER - ENERGY SAVING VIDEOS
Insulate your loft for a warm and cosy home! #heatingtips #energyefficiency #energysavings
The best places for your heating thermostat, explained! #heatingtips #energyefficiency
Why does system water-quality matter to your boiler? #energyefficiency #heatingtips #heatingsystem
The secret to using radiator valves! #baxiboiler #sustainableheating #centralheating #radiator