With the current cost of energy, there may be ways to reduce your monthly bills by:

• Switching off lights when you leave a room
• Using low energy LED bulbs
• If you’re replacing an appliance, consider an energy efficient A rated model
• Washing clothes at 30 degrees, this can save as much as 40% compared to washing at higher temperatures
• Being aware of how long you’re running an electric shower for – they are one of the biggest users of energy
• Using a microwave rather than an oven is cheaper as it takes less time and uses less energy. Slow cookers and batch cooking can also be energy efficient
• Unplugging or switching off devices at the wall, rather than leaving them on standby
• Only charging devices for as long as necessary
• Controlling central heating as much as possible to make sure you have heat when you need it
• Putting draft excluders around draughty doors and windows.

Cleaning extractor fans

Cleaning your extractor fans regularly can help improve their efficiency. Fans can be cleaned by following these steps:

• Make sure the extractor fan is switched off/unplugged from its power source
• Remove the filter cover – these can usually be unscrewed or simply lifted off
• Remove any filters and set them to one side
• Clean the inside of the unit using a damp sponge or cloth with warm soapy water
• Clean the filter with warm soapy water too
• Allow the filters to fully dry and then reassemble the unit
• Plug it in and switch back on to test.

Remember not to use an abrasive material that could potentially damage the unit.

Extractor fans are very energy efficient and leaving them on will help reduce condensation.

Reducing condensation and damp and mould in your home

To save on energy, we can find ourselves turning the heating down or off, which can lead to damp, mould and condensation forming.

We’ve put together a list of things that can help reduce condensation in your home and stop damp and mould developing.