How to save resources and money? Close the microwave oven door, turn down the thermostat, and stuff a pair of old jeans into the chimney

Last modified on Friday, October 15, 2021 07.27 EDT

Energy is most expensive during peak hours—for example, at 7 o'clock in the evening, everyone is watching TV and cooking. Energy companies usually have to turn on standby power plants to help meet the demands at these times. The operating costs of these equipment are high, and usually generate a lot of carbon emissions. Think about when you use your energy and how much. You can also save money by avoiding the use of power-hungry equipment during peak hours. There is a free app called Equiwatt that can help you: you connect your device to the app via a smart plug, and then the app shuts down the device for one hour during these peak hours, 2 to 3 times a week. Jonathan, Gateshead

It takes no effort to prevent airflow and heat escape routes from having a huge impact. I used leftover T-shirt yarn to crochet a windshield for the front door, and I stuffed it with insulation from our weekly food box. This is a 100% recycling method that prevents cold air from entering under my front door and definitely helps keep our kitchen warm. I also stuffed a pair of old jeans into a chimney that is not currently in use to prevent the wind from blowing and keep the living room warm. Helen Monckton, engineer, Brechin, Scotland

Pay attention to the little things. For example, it's not just the LED bulbs that illuminate the room that uses electricity; the dim lights in ovens and microwaves also use it, so don't leave the door open after use. I buy bulbs online or in DIY stores, such as Toolstation or Screwfix; their cost is only a small part of the price in supermarkets or large DIY chains. Michael, retired, South Yorkshire

Unsealing a few poorly installed windows is essentially the same as opening windows throughout the winter. If you live in an old house, please seal your doors and windows. Foam is okay, but it's more difficult to fit-I use electrical tape to seal most of the gaps in the windows. I use foam on the door and several windows that I open frequently. If you apply the tape carefully and use a ruler as a guide, it will hardly be noticed. It will peel off cleanly after six months. Martin, artist, Wellington, New Zealand

If the timed radiator valve is not synchronized with the boiler operating time, the room with the timed radiator valve will feel cold compared to other parts of the house. This means that, for example, even if the thermostat is set to 22C, you will feel cold. The trick is to resist the temptation by turning on the room thermostat: the short time it takes to wait for a cold room to reach temperature is much less than setting the thermostat where it is needed. Alex Butler, engineer, Livingston, Scotland

When cooking rice with a slow fire, the water will evaporate into steam and lose heat. Therefore, when using the pan, be sure to cover the lid. Imagine keeping the house warm without a roof! Try an experiment: Bring a pot of water to a boil, first simmer on low heat without the lid, and then simmer on low heat with the lid on. For example, on an induction cooker, you usually need a high setting without a lid, but only a low setting. Big savings! William Barnault, retired, Dunbar, Scotland

A few years ago, I installed smart thermostats and smart TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves) in every room of my house to regulate the temperature and turn the heating off and on when people enter and exit. When working from home during the pandemic, I set up some new smart home automation devices to limit heat to my home office so that during the day when my office stays warm, other parts of the house may lower the temperature. When my wife left the office at night and drove home, Apple HomeKit would detect this and turn on the heating throughout the house, so she was warm when she came back. Over the past 18 months, this has saved me a lot of gasoline, and now my fixed price tariffs have ended and I have been forced to pay almost double the cost, which is more useful than ever. It's not cheap, but it will save you money in the end. Phil Baxter, video game artist, Leamington Spa

Not all rooms need heating. The kitchen becomes hot when cooking; a cool bedroom is better for sleep. Most of the time, you just need to keep warm in the living room. Turn off or turn off the radiators in other rooms-and keep the doors closed to keep heat in. Remember that the heat will rise-so you might even consider putting your living space upstairs and sleeping downstairs. Finally: wear slippers. Alan Moore, Data Science Worker, London