Radiator thermostats are a great way to save energy. Many of us turn our conventional thermostats up to five, wait until the room is warm and then turn them down again. This is less than ideal, given that every number on the thermostat represents a particular temperature to be reached in the space being heated.

On a digital thermostat, however, you can directly read the temperature and therefore set it precisely from the outset. Hardware stores sell simple digital thermostats starting at EUR 11 which can cut your heating bills by 10 %.

But don't you have to get them installed? According to an energy expert, "If you can assemble an IKEA shelving unit, you'll manage this job on your own too."

Heat is also lost through the building envelope as many heating systems are placed on an external wall. However, there's often a gap of only a couple of centimeters between the heater and wall. This is where insulating mats and reflectors come in.

Installing an insulating mat behind your radiator is a simple, efficient, and affordable way to cut your heating bills by reflecting back into your room the heat that would otherwise be lost to the outside.

You can cut the mats to size to suit your needs. Mats for installation behind almost all conventional radiators can be picked up for EUR 3 or more at your local hardware store.

Valuable heat is lost outdoors through our windows as well. There's a simple trick to check whether your windows are functioning properly – open the window, lay a sheet of paper on the frame, and close the window again. If you can easily pull out the paper without it tearing, action is needed.

You can get new window and door seals from a hardware store – they're often self-adhesive and can be easily applied to the window frame. This will set you back around EUR 6 per window.  

You can also save energy when heating water. According to German consumer organization Stiftung Warentest, an electric kettle is preferable to a cooker when heating water quickly. This is especially the case when preparing tea or coffee. When boiling (a larger volume of) water to cook pasta, for example, you're better off using your cooker, even though this may take somewhat longer.

You should also bear in mind that a kettle with limescale consumes more energy and takes longer to boil. So, it's worth regularly descaling your kettle.
 

Little things matter too when it comes to saving energy. Just like your windows may not close properly, your doors may also be the cause of unpleasant drafts that waste energy. You can easily check this by placing your hand at the side or bottom of the door. You'll know straight away if there's a cold draft.

In such scenarios, you can seal the side of your door, just like with a window. And a cheap draft excluder can simply be laid along the bottom of the door. These come in numerous shapes and sizes, from cushions to high tech solutions.

Did you know that you can really cut energy consumption by saving water? Domestic hot water, to be precise – as this requires electricity or other forms of energy for heating. 

That's why you can take a big step towards energy savings when you install flow regulators: you'll save water every time you rinse your hands or wash vegetables by simply retrofitting a flow regulator with the latest water saving technology to an existing aerator on your washbasin or kitchen faucet.

We offer a water saving calculator here that shows you how much water you could potentially save in your home by installing advanced flow regulators. 

Saving water under the shower 
Where is there the greatest potential for energy savings? In the shower! Advanced water savers are easy to install and fit any ½ inch hose connection. Bear in mind that a lot of domestic hot water is used for showering in particular, so the energy saving potential is greatest here.

Saving water at the washbasin
We're presumably all aware by now that we shouldn't let the water run while brushing our teeth or shaving. However, you can achieve an additional saving effect with advanced flow regulators in your faucets. Here too, you benefit from simple installation and a savings effect while still enjoying a sufficient flow rate of four to five liters per minute.
 
Saving water in the kitchen
Whether washing vegetables, rinsing a pot, or cleaning your cloths and sponges, you can also ensure the optimum flow of water in the kitchen and avoid water wastage by using advanced flow regulators. Given the typical activities performed in the kitchen, a flow rate of seven liters per minute is recommended and considered sufficient.

Tumble dryers use a lot of energy. Washing and drying clothes accounts for no less than 14 % of a household's electricity consumption. So it may be worth your while to use your trusty old clothes horse and leave your clothes to air-dry – especially if you've access to a garden, yard, or balcony. This is a particularly good idea if you've access to a garden, yard, or balcony. 

Many electric devices are left on standby when not in use – guzzling energy minute by minute. You can save a lot of energy here by simply switching to manual power strips. With one single click, you can disconnect a whole host of appliances from the power supply – overnight, when leaving the house, or when you don't need the devices concerned. 

If you'd like to lower the temperature at home a little in order to save energy, simple items like a jumper, blanket, or granny's hot water bottle can help. Get comfortable and cozy. There's no law that states you have to go around in a t-shirt at home during the winter. 

There's no hocus pocus involved, and neither should it cost the earth. Smart gadgets help you save. Simply remember the following:

• Set your heating systems to the right temperature
• Make sure your windows and doors are sealed
• Install flow regulators to reduce water consumption
• Avoid leaving devices on standby