£25 isn't much of a price to pay when you stand to save hundreds of pounds on your energy bills. One small, smart investment can end up reducing your gas and electricity by significant amounts in the long term.
Here are ten energy-saving ideas that cost less than £25.
1. The Enviroplug
The Enviroplug is designed to stop you from wasting energy when charging your mobile phone. All you do is plug your phone charger into the Enviroplug and it detects when your battery is full, or your mobile isn't connected, and shuts off the power.
What does it save?
If you leave your charger plugged in all the time, the Enviroplug can save you as much electricity as it takes for 19 days worth of TV viewing or to boil a kettle 100 times.
2. The Radiator Booster
The Radiator Booster cuts your heating bills by encouraging the warm air to circulate around your room. It's a small fan that sits on top of your radiator, so the room heats up in half the time. This means your boiler needn't work as hard, saving you money.
What does it save?
It's estimated that a Radiator Booster could save you £70 to £140 a year on your heating bill, depending on your household's heating requirements.
3. The Aladdin Auto Vent
If you often forget to bleed your radiators, or you can't find the key, you don't need to worry anymore. This little automatic radiator bleeder stays fixed to the radiator and does it for you.
What does it save?
The device lets the air out of the radiator which means you'll increase the heat in your house, which means the boiler won't have to work so hard. The amount you save depends on the amount and size of the radiators in your house.
4. Radiator insulation foil
By installing radiator insulation foil behind your radiator, you effectively redirect the heat into the room rather than it being absorbed into the wall.
What does it save?
Around 35% of heat from your radiators is lost into your walls. Radiator Foil can therefore help you save significant amounts on your heating bills.
5. Energy-saving light bulbs
If you haven't already installed energy-saving lightbulbs, now is the time. Energy-saving light bulbs make cutting your electricity bill effortless and they've come a long way in recent years, so you don't need to worry about poor-quality light.
What does it save?
Installing five new light bulbs can save you around £30 a year, and only costs about £15.
6. Freeloader Pico
Power your mobile phone and gadgets for free. The Freeloader Pico is a compact portable solar charger. It comes with a choice of four different connector tips, which means it can charge almost any type of phone and lots of gadgets too.
What does it save?
You need never pay for the energy it takes to power your phone and gadgets ever again.
7. Block draughts
The easiest way to save energy and keep the heat in is to identify and block the draughts in your house. Does it feel cold around your windows? Have you got air coming in under the doors? There are lots of ways to block draughts. Try expanding foam to squirt into cracks and gaps, or attach a draught excluder to the bottom of your doors.
What does it save?
Using draught excluders, particularly in old, large houses can have a huge impact on your heating bills and improve your level of comfort enormously.
8. A letterbox flap
You could be losing significant heat, or letting the cold air in through your letter box. An inexpensive flap or brush can help keep the cold air out and the heat in.
What does it save?
By installing a letterbox flap you are making immediate savings on your heating bills, and making your home more comfortable.
9. Chimney balloons
Using a chimney balloon, or chimney pillow, is an efficient way to stop the heat escaping up the chimney and keeps the cold air out. They are very easy to install and inexpensive by comparison with what you'll save.
What does it save?
Studies have shown that 40% of the heat in a room could disappear up the chimney. Using a balloon can therefore have a significant effect on your heating bill.
10. Compare gas and electricity prices
Compare gas and electricity prices with uSwitch to make sure you're on the cheapest tariff for you.
What does it save?
It only takes a few minutes, we do all the paperwork for you and you could save up to £458.