Energy for light and heat is obtained from coal, oil, gas, wood, peat, wind, water, sun and nuclear power. It is important to determine how much energy is used in the home, office or industry in order to find ways of improving efficiency.

Performing an ‘Energy Audit’ is the best way of doing this.

There are 2 stages to performing an effective Energy Audit:

1. Determine how much energy was used in the previous twelve months and how much it cost.

2. Set up a programme to show how energy can be conserved and to determine where, how and by how much energy savings can be made.

Below are some tips to improve energy efficiency and conservation and should be considered when performing your energy audit.

Households
• Don't leave hot water tap running or dripping.
• Turn lights and heaters off when leaving room.
• Turn home computer off when not using for several hours.
• Keep lid on jug and pans when cooking.
• Do wash clothes in cold water.
• Turn TV off at wall, not just at set.
• Use draught stoppers on doors and keep doors shut in rooms you are heating.
• Dry washing outdoors when you can.
Save dishes and clothes washes until you have enough for a full load.

Commercial Buildings
• Reduce lighting levels in foyers, stairwells and corridors.
• Turn lights off when leaving building, turn on again when cleaners arrive.
• If people are wearing shirtsleeves, reduce heating levels until it is comfortable in a jacket.
• Investigate whether heating is turned on too early before work.
• Ensure all computers are turned off when users leave for the day.

Industry
• Solutions are more site-specific but include some of the above, plus ensuring motors are not left running when not needed.

Public Services Bodies
• Reduce lighting levels in foyers, stairwells and corridors.
• Turn lights off when leaving building, turn on again when cleaners arrive.
• If people are wearing shirtsleeves, reduce heating levels until it is comfortable in a jacket.
• Investigate whether heating is turned on too early before work.
• Ensure all computers are turned off when users leave for the day.
• Checking maintenance on all water and sewage pumps.
• Turning off every second street light in areas where pedestrians are not at risk.

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