Try our lighting calculator to see how much you could save by replacing your light bulbs with energy efficient ones.

For information on different types of lighting see our section on Recycling Light Bulbs.

Installing double-glazing can save you up to 20% of your fuel bill. It also reduces noise coming in from outside. Secondary double glazing – fitted in addition to your existing windows, is cheaper, but less effective. This is because it is the air gap that provides the insulation, not the extra layer of glass, and this is more effective in a double glazing unit.

In terms of energy usage, laptops are around twice as efficient as desktop PCs. Your computer also uses power when switches off, so unplug it at the mains when not in use. Your peripherals also use power, not just the printer but the modem, wifi router, etc.

If you have tuned into the BBC in the last year or so you will be under no illusion about the number of ways you can listen to radio transmissions – they are no longer confined to the good old wireless. Digital radio has transformed the sound quality, particularly of medium and long wave (just try the World Service or Radio 5 Live on digital).

Around 2.5 million TVs are discarded each year in the UK, and many of these end up in landfills. See our section on recycling televisions. This trend is probably going to continue for some time, as we change to thinner and lighter sets, demand bigger screens, and want the latest HD technology.

We throw away around 6 million appliances a year in the UK. Most of these end up in dustbins, when they could be reused or recycled by someone. Instead, take them to a second hand shop, charity shop, or your local recycling centre.

When you buy a vacuum cleaner the headline figure will be the wattage, which affects the price you pay. Actually, the wattage tells you only the power of the motor, not the suction power you are going to get – and most of the power used by the machine is lost as heat and noise. This information is often not provided by the manufacturer, and there is no code of conduct.