Are you wondering how to save energy at home? If soaring energy bills have been keeping you awake at night, don’t despair – there are many small but valuable steps you can take to reduce your fuel consumption, cut your energy bills and improve your contribution to the environment.
Cutting your energy usage won’t just help you reduce your bills, it will also help you slash the amount of harmful CO2 produced within your home. Read on if you’ve been looking for key energy saving tips.
Save energy, save money
There are many things you can do to reduce energy consumption levels at home, and many of these won’t make any difference to your quality of life or require a great deal of effort. Switching energy suppliers can greatly reduce your bills, and once you have done this there are many other things you can do to bring your annual energy spend down to a more manageable level.
One positive step you can make is to opt for energy-efficient light bulbs. These bulbs can last for up to 12 times longer than normal bulbs and can save you hundreds of pounds over the course of several years.
During the winter months, you can use thicker curtains to trap more heat inside your home, and you can also invest in reflector panels for your radiators, which can send heat energy from the rear of your radiator back into your room. Radiator boosters can also help you stay warm and comfortable even when you turn your thermostat down.
Saving water and excluding draughts
Do you have dripping taps in your home? If so, consider fixing these as soon as possible. Dripping taps can waste a bath’s worth of hot water in just a single week.
There are many draught-proofing solutions you can invest in, including loft hatches, and fittings for windows, doors, walls and ceilings. Avoid using your tumble dryer as much as possible and try to use radiators to dry your clothes in the winter. Try to wash full loads and reduce the temperature of your machine to 30-40°C. When cooking meals, avoid opening your oven door and try to prepare more meals with your microwave if you can. Only ever boil the amount of water you need and make sure your dishwasher is full before you switch it on. Many dishwashers come with economy settings, so consider using yours if you have one. Defrosting your fridge and freezer will boost energy-efficiency and keep them as full as possible.
More tips to reduce energy consumption
Try to replace baths for showers if you’re not doing so already and switch appliances like TVs and stereos off at the wall when they are not in use. The standby function consumes much more energy than many people think.
Many modern appliances come with energy ratings that give you a clear idea on how much power they consume. Older appliances tend to be much less energy-efficient, and you can save a substantial sum by investing in more modern solutions.
You may also wish to consider purchasing a new boiler if you have been wondering how to save energy. A-rated condensing boilers have become an increasingly common sight in homes across the country and can also save you hundreds of pounds a year compared to older systems. Features included in many modern boilers include radiator controls and programmers.
Improving home insulation
Have you considered improving your insulation? If not, it may be time to see what solutions are available to you. You can save hundreds of pounds each year by adding cavity wall insulation, loft installation, roof insulation and underfloor insulation.
The initial cost of insulation can be greatly eclipsed by the amount of money you save in the long run. You can also reduce energy consumption by replacing single-glazed windows with double glazing. Draught excluders can help you save money on energy and heighten comfort levels in the colder months of the year, as can blocking cracks in your floors and skirting boards.
Energy-saving innovations
UK households spend around £1,200 on energy each year. If you have opted for the lowest-priced tariff available to you, there are still many things you can do to reduce costs.
Technology has made it much easier to manage our appliances, and there are now apps you can use to switch them off even when you are away from home. It’s possible to buy plug sockets which can be powered on and off with your phone, and you can also purchase timer plugs which will turn your appliances off at specific times.
Smart thermostats have become more popular over recent years and can stop you heating rooms that are not in use. These intelligent thermostats learn information about how your home is heated and switch your heating on at appropriate times. You can also control these with your phone.
If you are struggling with your bills but are already on the cheapest tariff or are not able to leave your supplier because you owe them money, you can contact them to see if they will arrange a payment plan. You could also opt for a prepayment meter if you’re concerned about how much power you are wasting, though this can result in paying more for your energy. You may be able to save by sealing your chimney and only using air conditioning when you really need to.
What are home energy monitors?
Many people have saved large sums of money by sourcing home energy monitors which provide them with real-time information about their energy usage. Home energy monitors tell you how much energy you are currently using and often come with special features, telling you when you have used a specific amount of electricity and allowing you to set limits.
However, unlike smart meters, they don’t send any information to your energy supplier. Your supplier may be able to provide you with a free monitor, though prices are generally affordable if you need to purchase one yourself to save energy.
There are all sorts of steps you can take to reduce your energy consumption. Why not start implementing some of the above tips today to improve your energy conservation levels?
