Energy Conservation
& Efficiency Tips

To help you to save money and energy at home and at work, we've put together some easy tips that can help you reduce the amount of energy you use.

You can also visit Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's website for energy saving advice and to apply for a range of grants to help improve your daily energy efficiency.

At home

General

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Turn off electrical appliances when you leave the room or aren't using them.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated.

Kitchen

• Dry items in your dishwasher simply by opening the door and not using a 'high temp' option.
• Only use the correct amount of water for your needs in a kettle.
• Use smaller appliances such as the microwave or toaster instead of the oven.

Bathroom

• Use a low-flow shower head.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Install dual-flow toilets to reduce the amount of water used per flush.
• Insulate your water heater and all water piping.

Everyday

• Separate your recyclable and compost material from your household waste in order to reduce landfill waste.
• When shopping, use the least amount of plastic bags possible or use recyclable bags that can be used over again.
• Use products made of recycled (FSC) paper, or biodegradable materials.

Your vehicle

General

• Try to car share whenever you get the chance to reduce the number of cars on the road.
• Make sure your tyres are always at the correct pressure, which increases movement efficiency.
• Clear out all heavy items in your boot and backseat, so that you are not being weighed down.
• Have regular maintenance on your vehicle to make sure that everything is working to the best performance.
• In the long term, you may want to consider investing in a 'hybrid' or other fuel source vehicle, as it will significantly reduce your energy costs and emission output.

Winter

• Installing winter tyres will help increase movement efficiency and mileage, that way your vehicle is not working harder than it should.

Summer

• Do not drive faster than motorway limits (120kph) as fuel efficiency reduces.
• Do not use the air conditioning on days where the wind or cooler air will suffice.
• If you must use the air conditioning, try and have it regulate throughout the car and lower the temperate over time.