HOME OFFICE

By using a laptop rather than a desktop computer you will cut energy consumption by 75 per cent. Power strips (see previous page) are another way to save, as they automatically disconnect devices overnight. And activate sleep mode on your computer, adds Jackman: it will use the same amount of power whether you’re in front of it or not.

If your workspace is chilly and you’re the only person at home during the day, a portable electric heater will be a more economical heat source than cranking up the thermostat, according to Which? The most energy-efficient home offices are paperless, Jackman says, but if you must print, an inkjet printer will use less energy than a laser.

We are very wasteful when it comes to washing: if we turned off the tap while brushing our teeth, we would save £100 (and more than 4,300 litres of water) each year, according to the Waterworks Project; and if we limited flushing the lavatory to number twos, we’d gain a further £15.

Those of us who like to use electric toothbrushes should be careful not to leave them on charge indefinitely, Jackman adds.

Swapping baths for quick showers (of up to five minutes) makes a £40 difference to your energy bill, while spending one minute less in the shower each day could save a family of four £75 a year on energy and water bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust. And you’ll save an extra £10 if you have your showers cold, Jackman adds. “Whether that’s worth it is up to you,” he says.

Any leaky taps should be fixed, adds Tashema Jackson, and if you’re upgrading your shower, go for a smart showerhead, she says, which can save £75 per year on your water and energy bills. “They reduce your bills by allowing you to control the water pressure and temperature via an app,” she says.