Save Energy and Money

LiveSimply’s Community Talk Recap

Our recent "Save Energy, Save Money" talk, hosted in collaboration with HEATplus, Zero Carbon Guildford, and the Surrey Climate Commission, focused on practical solutions to cut energy costs while reducing carbon footprints. With huge thanks to them and to Anna Jolley for such an informative and helpful evening.

Key Takeaways from the Talk

Why Save Energy? Improving energy efficiency has multiple benefits: reduced bills, lower carbon emissions, increased home comfort, and even improved health by tackling issues like condensation and cold spots.

Quick Wins for Immediate Savings

• Turn your thermostat down by 1°C to save on heating.

• Reduce shower times, especially with electric showers.

• Draught-proof windows, doors, and floorboards to prevent heat loss.

• Use curtains at night and keep windows shut to retain warmth.

• Avoid leaving appliances on standby or plugged in unnecessarily.

Affordable Upgrades with Big Impact

• Install loft insulation (minimum 270mm) to prevent heat escaping through the roof.

• Draught-proof loft hatches and external doors.

• Place radiator reflectors on external walls to direct heat back into rooms.

• Replace old lightbulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.

Smart Technology and Monitoring

• Lower your boiler’s flow temperature to 60°C for energy-efficient heating.

• Consider a smart meter to track energy use and optimize habits.

Planning for the Future

Attendees also learned about grant opportunities, such as ECO4 and HUG2, to help finance energy-saving measures like insulation or heat pumps.

The event was a great reminder that small, actionable changes can lead to meaningful financial and environmental benefits. For those who couldn’t attend, start with three simple changes from the tips above and watch the savings grow!

If you would like to have a home survey by the Home Energy Advice Taskforce you can contact Anna Jolley at Anna.jolley@zerocarbonguildford.org