People looking to make their lifestyles greener while
reducing energy bills should consider cutting down on their use of heating, an expert has advised.
David MacKay, professor of physics at the University of Cambridge, explained that small measures like turning phone chargers off when they are not in use are not effective in improving energy efficiency.
He added that such steps should not be included in suggestions to starting living greener because they distract people from other things they could be doing.
"Turning the thermostat down (or the air-conditioning in hot climates) is the single most effective energy-saving technology available to a typical person," Professor McKay said on BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme.
"Every degree you turn it down will reduce your heating costs by ten per cent; and, speaking of Britain at least, heating is likely to be the biggest form of energy consumption in most buildings."
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