What is your best energy saving tip?

Energy saving tip no.1: Sell or dispose of the car and re-organise your life around your bicycle. You'll save more energy (and money and sanity) in a month this way than in a decade of using low energy light bulbs.
Energy saving tip no.2: If you use a 'fridge, keep a day's supply of frequently used items such as milk and butter outside of the appliance in suitable flyproof containers. The energy your 'fridge uses will be significantly reduced by opening the door less often; still more so if you site it in a cold place.
I've got plenty more where those came from should anyone show any interest

quote:

Originally posted by Gav:
Maybe this isn't so much an energy saving tip as an energy generation one! I was in my local DIY store the other day and was really (pleasantly) surprised to see that miniature wind turbines for domestic use are now widely available from a major retailer. According to the manufacturer's website, if just 10% of households fitted their product, it could cut a potential 1,000,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Payback to the household could be achieved in 7 years. The product will also qualify for credits under the Government's Renewable Obligations Certificates soon.

This is the type of technology that qualifies for the C-Change discount.

Maybe this isn't so much an energy saving tip as an energy generation one! I was in my local DIY store the other day and was really (pleasantly) surprised to see that miniature wind turbines for domestic use are now widely available from a major retailer. According to the manufacturer's website, if just 10% of households fitted their product, it could cut a potential 1,000,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Payback to the household could be achieved in 7 years. The product will also qualify for credits under the Government's Renewable Obligations Certificates soon.

Impressive Andy!

Can anyone else quantify the sum of money they've saved? And beat this?

I'm looking forward to the Council micro-chipping our waste bin since we put next to nothing in it.

Pretend you don't HAVE a car ... then you'll walk or cycle more. Huge energy savings available ... I'm on a slack year but should do 3000 miles by bike - that's 85+ gallons of unleaded I'll not use. Since records began in 1990 I'll have saved over 1500 gallons; at today's prices that's £6K.

Good, eh?

Educate, moderate, insulate!

The best and most reliable energy saving tip is surely for an individual to become conscious of the energy that they're using. After that, the behaviour modifications and appliance selections become second nature.

1) Use only what is necessary - most obvious example being don't leave lights on in rooms not in use.
2) Make energy efficiency a priority when choosing appliances / equipment / services etc.

Hope that helps,
Paul Hopewell