To eliminate draughts and wasted heat use an easy-to-fix brush or PVC seal on your exterior doors.

Stop draughts and heat escaping through floorboards and skirting boards by filling gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant.

Make sure your windows are draught proofed. A low cost, short-term alternative to double-glazing would be to tape polythene across window frames.

Heating: Too warm? Turning your thermostat down by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%. And if you're going away for winter, leave the thermostat on a low setting to provide protection from freezing at minimum cost. Saving: around £30 per year.

Hot water: Of course it should be hot, but it doesn't need to be scalding. For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F is fine for bathing and washing.

Plug it: Always put the plug in your basin or sink. Leaving hot water running straight down the drain really is throwing money away.

Curtains: close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.

Lights: Always turn them off when you leave a room and adjust your curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible during the day.

Televisions, videos, stereos, computers, and cordless phones: To cut down on wasted energy, avoid leaving appliances on standby and remember not to leave them on charge unnecessarily. But please check the user manual first.

Fridges: Don't leave the door open for longer than necessary, cold air escapes. Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge by allowing it to cool down first. Defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running efficiently and cheaply. If it tends to frost up quickly, check the door seal. And if you have your fridge next to a cooker or boiler, leave a good gap between them.

Washing machines and tumble dryers: Always wash a full load and if you can't use a half-load or economy programme. Always use the low temperature programme bearing in mind that modern washing powders will be just as effective at lower temperatures. Wring out or spin-drying really wet clothes before putting them into a tumble dryer will save you money, and they dry faster.

Dishwashers: Try and use the low temperature programme, and ensure you wash a full load.

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Updated February 2006