On average, this means a family could save around £300 per year by making small, positive changes to their daily routine.

Hillside Primary is an Eco School with Green Flag status and pupils have been gaining a good understanding of how they and their families can reduce their impact on global climate change by ensuring they turn off appliances whenever possible.

Hillside deputy headteacher Jackie Campbell said, “We’re delighted to give our support to the Scottish Government’s Go Greener campaign.

“As an Eco School, we make a real effort to ensure our pupils are aware of the effect their actions can have on the planet, and ensuring that appliances are properly turned off is a great example of how a small change can make a big difference.”

Switching off appliances at the wall rather than leaving on standby when people leave the room or go to bed is an easy way to save up to 8% on electricity bills. Appliances such as TVs, DVD players, computers, microwaves, digital radios, and washing machines, still use electricity unless they are switched off at the wall.

As well as helping families pocket some extra money for Christmas, reducing energy use or just using what is needed will also benefit the environment.

Minister for the Environment Roseanna Cunningham said, “There are many small changes we can make in our daily life that really do make a huge difference, both to the environment and our pocket.

“Switching off appliances at the wall is something each and every one of us can do, and hopefully it will become a good habit that will stick.

“It is very easy to leave the TV or computer on standby, or to fill the kettle for one cup of tea, but when you realise how much money can be saved, not to mention helping reduce CO2 emissions it spurs you to do what you can.” For more information and tips, visit www.infoscotland.com/gogreener.