Energy saving week 2025: Take control of your energy

Energy efficiency comes from small actions. These can lead to significant savings in the home.

The cooler days of autumn serve as a reminder that it’s worth using energy wisely, both for the sake of the environment and your own wallet. Saving energy means making sensible choices in everyday life.

The national Energy Saving Week will be held from 6 to 12 October 2025. This year’s theme is Manage your energy. It encourages people to consider how they can manage their own energy use in a smart and balanced way.

Water use and hot water consumption

In many homes, hot water is the single largest consumer of energy. Shortening your shower time by a few minutes makes a difference over the course of a year, both in terms of your water bill and your environmental impact.

Useful tips:

Only use water when necessary; don’t let the tap run unnecessarily, for example whilst washing up.
Only wash laundry and dishes when the machine or dishwasher is full.
Check your plumbing regularly and let us know if you notice any leaks.

Small steps to save electricity

The easiest way to save electricity is through your everyday choices. Switch off the lights when you leave a room, and unplug chargers from the wall when they are not in use. Standby mode consumes electricity, so it’s worth switching off devices completely.

Power strips can make everyday life easier. For example, you can easily switch off your TV or workstation equipment at the touch of a button, and the savings will add up without you even noticing.

Check your window seals and keep the area in front of the radiator clear

Good indoor air quality and a suitable temperature increase comfort and reduce energy consumption. If there are draughts coming through windows or doors, check the seals and report the issue to VAV’s customer service.

Also remember the following:
• It is worth checking that your radiators are working properly. If they are not heating evenly, please let VAV’s customer service know.
• Do not cover radiators with thick curtains or large pieces of furniture.

Using household appliances efficiently

Household appliances are everyday helpers, but you can make their use more efficient. Always select the energy-saving programme on your washing machine and dishwasher whenever possible. Often, a wash at 30–40 degrees is perfectly adequate.

It is also worth:
• Defrosting your freezer regularly, as a layer of ice increases energy consumption.
• Making use of the oven’s residual heat after cooking.
• Ensuring that the doors of your fridge and freezer close properly.

The landlord’s role in energy saving

In line with our long-term plan, we are constantly implementing measures to maintain the condition of our properties and improve energy efficiency. This includes, amongst other things, various types of refurbishment, adjustments to heating systems and energy-efficiency upgrades.

The tenant’s everyday choices and the repairs carried out by the landlord complement one another. When both work together, the results are multiplied and energy efficiency improves significantly. This has a direct impact on rents, as we operate on a cost-recovery basis.

Working together towards an energy-efficient everyday life

Energy Saving Week 2025 offers a good opportunity to pause and reflect on your own consumption habits. Every kilowatt-hour and litre of water saved is a step towards a smaller carbon footprint. At the same time, living becomes more economical and, in the long term, more sustainable.