Rethink your everyday habits

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Small changes every day make a big difference in the long run. Why not check out how you can shift, step-by-step, to a more energy-saving lifestyle, both at home, and when you're out and about in your community?

Cut energy use at home

Here are a few cheap and easy ways to cut down on unnecessary fuel use where you can.

It's free to have an energy meter installed, and it will tell you which appliances are using the most energy, putting you in control of how much power you use.

Wear more layers when it's colder. Keep the heating thermostat a few degrees cooler, and put on a winter jumper instead.
Save your laundry until you have a full load. Running the washing machine on a smaller load wastes both electricity and water
Tumble driers are very power-intensive. When it's warm enough, dry your clothes on a washing line outside if you can.

Don't leave phones charging all night, or other appliances like TVs on standby when you're not using them.
Use dimmer switches, or dimmable lamps, to give your rooms a cosier glow and save energy too.
Replacing halogen lights with LED light bulbs saves a lot of energy. LEDs last up to five times longer than halogen lights, whilst also using 80% less energy.

Save and recycle water

As long summer heatwaves become more common, we all need to think about how we can use water wisely.

Only fill the kettle if you're actually making several cups of tea.
Don't leave the tap running when brushing your teeth.
Don't wait for a summer hosepipe ban. You can use a watering can, rather than a hosepipe, any time you're watering plants in the garden.
Toilets make up around 30% of the average household's water use. If you have a traditional 9 or 13L cistern (not a modern slimline or dual flush system), you can save up to 3L each time you flush, by putting a water saving Hippo bag into the cistern.

Re-using waste water is a great way to cut your water usage. You can use it to wash the car, water the plants in your garden, or for cleaning jobs around your home. Or if you don't have a garden or use a car, why not water trees on your street or in a local park?

Here are a few easy ways you can make the most of your water supply:

Harvest rainwater with a water butt or buckets on rainy days, including run-off from gutters.
Use a plug in sinks and showers, to collect the water and use again.
Recycle laundry water from a condensing tumble drier. Empty the output tank, or use a bucket to collect water from the tubed vent.

Think about your local area

Living more sustainably can make our neighbourhoods quieter, cleaner, safer and nicer to spend time in.

The Government's Clean Energy campaign has lots of suggestions about how you can make energy saving part of your everyday routine.

Find out how everyday actions while you're out and about, from shopping and waste disposal choices to supporting nature in your local community, can save energy and money.
Visit the Living Streets website to explore ways of using more active ways of travelling for short, local journeys.

Reducing car journeys, travel-related energy use and pollution are a central part of how we're trying to address the climate and ecological emergencies here in Bath and North East Somerset. Learn how this might benefit your local community by viewing the Active Travel Masterplan and Liveable Neighbourhoods Programme pages on the B&NES council website.

What's your next step?

If you want to make bigger and more longlasting changes to your home energy costs, you could explore ways of improving your home's energy efficiency with an upgrade. Measures like secondary glazing or loft insulation can be a lot simpler and cheaper than you think - especially when there's funding, grant and practical support available. Let us show you how!

Explore home energy upgrades

Check out funding and grants

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Cut energy use at home

Save and recycle water

Think about your local area

What's your next step?