Washing a small load of clothes? Check you washing machine’s settings to see if you can use the “half load” programme to save water and energy.

Think before your print. Reducing the amount of material you print has a long list of benefits including saving paper, chemicals and electricity. More and more offices and industries are going paper free, so think about how you can reduce any printing you do.

Keeping extract fans and vents clean and clear from obstruction reduces energy use and makes then work more efficiently.

Use a microwave. Generally a microwave oven is the most efficient way to heat up and cook food.

Giving your plants’ roots a good soaking once or twice a week in dry weather is much better than lightly watering them every day because most of that water just evaporates away. However, new plants do need regular watering until they are established.

Only fill your kettle with the water you need. You will save both water and energy.

Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save up to £8 a year off your energy bills, per person. With a water meter this could save a further £11 off annual water and sewerage bills. If everyone in a four-person household did this it would lead to a total saving of £75 a year.

Make sure your pans fully cover the rings on your hob to use all of the heat being provided. Use the right sized ring for the pan you are heating.