Going Green: Go green in 2023 to save energy while reducing your bills

Latest article from Angela Terry

Green Green campaigner and consumer expert, Angela Terry, separates climate change facts from fiction and here she explains how you can take simple, practical steps to help save the planet. Follow @ouronehome & visit https://onehome.org.uk/ for more advice.

Q: How can I go green in 2023? Where do I start?

Saving energy and reducing your bills can be the start of a series of green resolutions for 2023 and, with figures suggesting just 35 per cent of people in the UK who make resolutions stick to them, why not make ones that’ll save you money and help the environment?

Firstly, start switching off – think light switches, power sockets, games consoles, lamps, taps. Ask yourself when you’re leaving the house or going to bed what really needs to be on and switch everything else off.

Depending on usage, just turning off lights can save £25 a year.

Next, reuse – from shopping bags to water bottles to second hand clothing, if you don’t have to buy new, go second hand.

Facebook marketplace is a treasure trove of unwanted things being given away in your local area. Post online what you don’t need and search for what you do.

Insulate

One of the best things you can do for ageing parents or exhausted friends is pop up into their loft and check the amount of insulation they have - after you’ve done your own, of course.

Log onto one home.org.uk for advice on how to do it yourself and to find out how much money you could save.

Clean

It might not be your favourite job, but clean windows will maximise the heat coming through from the sun, descaling the kettle will mean it takes less time and money to boil.

Dust hinders energy efficiency so, whether it’s the back of the telly, behind the fridge or the kids’ games consoles keep appliances dust-free.