With the cost of energy bills at an all-time high, and continuously rising, we’d like to share with you ways you can reduce your energy bills. Everything from turning the lights off when you leave a room to keeping your thermostat at a low temperature can make a big impact on your wallet!
According to Energy Savings Trust, you can save around £65 a year by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode. Every little bit helps and we recognise that so we took this idea one step further.
Every device you have plugged in continues to drain power, adding to your rising energy costs. That is why these devices are frequently referred to as vampire devices (think cell phones, cable boxes, computers, gaming consoles, televisions). You wouldn’t think these devices are making a difference to your energy costs, but, they are.
For instance, if you have a television plugged in and on standby 24/7, it could cost you £24.61 per year. If you have a cable box plugged into it too, that adds another £23.10 per year. Don’t forget about gaming consoles, computer monitors (working from home has contributed to your rising energy costs at home), and laptops.
Add an extension lead you can switch off at night. This saves you time and effort from having to turn off each device individually. Also, look for smart plugs. These help to ensure each device is turned off completely. This is an easy win for energy saving tips at home (OR easy win on how to save energy at home).
After a lovely winter walk or a Teams call, making yourself a cuppa is an instant mental boost. No wonder tea kettles are one of the most commonly used appliances across the country! But, when filling up the kettle, only fill it up to the amount needed for your favourite cuppa. By taking this one easy step, you could save yourself £13 a year.
This is something we have done in our homes too and it has kept our homes warm and toasty.
We have fitted foam strips, brushes, and plastic seals around our doors and windows. We have even done this to the garage door connected to our homes. That garage door gap lets in too much cold air making heaters work overtime.
By draught proofing your home too, you could save around £55-65 per year.
By lowering your thermostat by 1 degree, you can save around £145 per year. Only lower it to a comfortable temperature for you and your family. The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests anywhere between 18°C and 21°C.
Reduce costs by setting your heating to come on when you need it and in the rooms, you spend the most time in.
This can save you around £19 per year.
Running your dishwasher at full capacity can reduce the amount of water and electricity you use, which can lead to an annual savings of £15 per year.
By shortening your shower time from 7 to 4 minutes could save about £84 a year. But, if you want to save even more, consider buying a water-efficient showerhead for around £10. It limits the amount of water you use and could save you about £98 a year. With all those savings, you can splurge guilt-free on a nice relaxing bath every now and then!
Your gorgeous curtains could be a money bleeding culprit without even realising it. Check that your curtains are not blocking your radiators.
By letting air out, you help heat your home more efficiently shrinking energy costs. This may seem like it only affects your radiators, but it actually has a big impact on your boiler.
If you wash your clothes at a lower temperature, like 30°C instead of 40°C, you could save up to £40 a year. Keep in mind, this varies depending on your washing machine model. But, it’s definitely worth a try. It means you could get 3 cycles instead of 2 using the same amount of energy, depending on your washing machine.
Annual boiler servicing is a must. It’s always a good idea to arrange a service with your plumber every 12 months to ensure that your boiler is in tip-top shape. It helps your boiler run as energy efficient as possible, which saves you money. Regular maintenance also spots potential issues before they cause your boiler to break down. It also reduces your carbon footprint.
Did you know that you could save up to £100 a year by simply turning down your combi boiler flow temperature to 60°C? It’s true!
Flow temperature is, basically, the temperature of the water your boiler sends to your radiators. By lowering this temperature, you won’t necessarily be lowering the temperature of your home. It will still be nice and cosy; however, it might take a bit longer for your home to reach the target temperature on your thermostat.
Additionally, make it routine to check your boiler pressure. If your boiler pressure is too high, there’s an increased chance of leaks happening. If the pressure is too low, the entire system decreases in performance. So, checking and keeping it at the right pressure ensures your system heats your home efficiently, which saves you from any unwanted, increased surprises to your energy bills.
Wearing the right clothes can make a huge difference in keeping warm in a cooler house. However, if you need some extra warmth, Money Saving Expert recommends electric blankets, heat pads, and foot warmers. There are a bunch of options out there, but the cheapest ones to run are those that you can charge via USB. Just keep in mind, these items are usually smaller and may only warm certain parts of your body. If you’re looking for something bigger, you could consider an electric blanket that costs around £35 to buy and only 3p an hour to run for a single size.
When you’re on the hunt for energy-efficient products, it’s crucial to understand energy-efficiency ratings. By doing so, you’ll find products both efficient and cost-effective. In the UK, appliances are rated between A+++ and G for their energy efficiency, with A+++ being the most efficient and G being the least. For example, dishwashers can take up almost 8% of your electricity bill, costing anywhere from £50 to £100 a year to run. However, slim line dishwashers are a more affordable option, typically costing £40 to £75 a year to run. The most efficient dishwashers on the market have an A rating and cost around £45 less per year to run than the lowest rated ones, and they use less water.
All of the above energy saving tips are easy changes you could start making today.
What energy saving tips have you found that work for you? Let us know in the comments below. We’d like to hear from you.
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