Homes which are smart and efficient make sure that every bit of energy used is not wasted. To have a world class energy efficient home you may need to invest in a number of home improvement projects – however, there are smaller ways to make progress and ultimately improve the energy performance of your property.

We’ve put together four simple ways to cut your energy usage just in time for winter. Which simultaneously reduces your carbon emissions and slashes energy bills. Sounds like a win win situation, right? Well it is – so without further ado here are the top tips from the energy experts at Prior.

The government plans for every home and business to have a smart meter for gas and electricity by 2020 – but why wait until then when you can start reaping the benefits straight away? These little devices will help you keep track of the energy you are using in your home, and as they offer real-time information about energy use, you can make informed decisions about where you can save money – offering long term financial savings.

Unless you have a water meter, you probably think that your water usage doesn’t affect your energy bills very much. This is in fact wrong, as almost every time we use water we are also using energy – so this does contribute to our bills. Around 21% of a gas bill from a gas heated home’s bill is attributed to heating the water for baths, showers and hot water from the tap. Therefore, you can save a lot simply by changing your water habits and fitting some humble devices.

For example, fitting a water saving shower head could knock £165 off yearly water and gas bills. Also, making tiny changes such as turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and replacing baths with showers can make a big difference.

If you don’t draught-proof your home at winter, then much of your good work invested elsewhere could be pointless. This is one of the cheapest ways to make your home more energy efficient and save money. You basically need to find tiny gaps in your home and try to cover them up – no hole is too small for a draught!

For example, cover letter boxes with a flap or brush, and cover keyholes with purpose made drop cover. If you have windows that open, then a draught can probably get in. Buy self-adhesive foam strips which you can apply between the window and the frame. A simple draught excluder can also work wonders, as well as shutting all interior doors.