Having recently discussed the best price comparison websites, we felt it was about time we re-visited some suggestions on how you could save energy at home.

We’ve all heard about switching to energy saving light bulbs but we’ve also got some more tips, this time courtesy of the Carbon Trust:

• Make sure that you measure how much energy you’re using – Unless you know what you’re paying, you won’t know what impact the changes make. Keep track of your bills and how they change when you introduce any energy saving tips.

• Don’t turn up the heating unless you really need to – Try to keep your thermostat at 19°C. According to the Carbon Trust your heating costs will go up by 8% each time you increase the temperature by just one degree

• Leave plenty of space around radiators – Putting furniture in front of a radiator means it will need to work harder to heat the room.

• Reduce energy losses in the home by ensuring that you have adequate insulation and fix costly leaks found on pipework.

And it’s not just at home where you can save on energy – the RAC shows us that by employing a few key driving techniques, you can reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption, save money and do your bit to help the environment.

• Use your gears wisely – Driving in the highest gear you can, without labouring the engine, is a more fuel efficient way of driving. It is estimated that a vehicle travelling at a speed of 37mph in third gear uses 25% more fuel than when at the same speed in fifth gear.

• Drive more smoothly – Think ahead and, by applying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you will reduce your vehicle’s overall fuel use and at the same time reduce wear and tear. Research suggests that driving techniques can influence fuel efficiency by as much as 30%.

• Switch off your engine – Whenever it is safe to do so, switch off your engine, especially when stuck in traffic for more than a few minutes. If you have air conditioning think before you use it. Not using it will reduce fuel consumption and ultimately save you money.

• Drive off as soon as you can – Don’t leave your engine running when you first start up. Drive off straight away if you can but drive gently until the engine has reached its normal operating temperature.