Tips To Reduce Your Energy Wastage and Your Bills

It is not uncommon for household bills to be up to 50% higher than they could be if we just did some draft proofing, and upgraded our insulation, lighting and household equipment. As well as what is perhaps the easiest and fastest way to reduce our energy bills – by just making some simple behaviour changes!

Be aware that some of the most expensive electricity use is for anything that becomes heated in the process of using it eg electric fan heaters. hot water tanks, aquariums, old fashioned light bulbs, etc. These can be the ones to use with care or to make sure the energy is not lost. through having a poorly insulated home.

Below are some simple things to do or behaviour changes that you can make…

 

Heating

  • Turn down your thermostat, but not so much that you are cold. 18-21 degrees is sufficient.
  • Get a modern smart (room-by-room) thermostat installed.
  • Fit individual radiator thermostats for more precise room control.
  • Use an electric throw rather than heat a whole room. (Super cheap to use).
  • Close the curtains when it gets dark to keep the heat in & tuck them behind radiators to stop heat escaping.
  • Bleed radiators to improve their efficiency.
  • Have your boiler serviced and have the flow temp at just 60 degrees.
  • Wear an extra jumper! And socks/slippers! (Or even thermals)!
  • Close the trickle vents on the windows if its feeling drafty.
  • If you have a hot water cylinder make sure that it is properly insulated.
  • Shower rather than bath (and for less than 4 minutes). Use an eco aerated shower head (under £20).
  • Draft proof windows doors and letter boxes.
  • Get double or secondary glazing.
  • Fit radiator reflector panels.

Electricity

  • Use a smart meter to see where you could save energy.
  • Switch appliances off stand by.
  • Fit low energy LED lights
  • Switch off lights in empty rooms.
  • Don’t leave chargers plugged in and switched on
  • Only put as much water as you need in the kettle.
  • Wash at 30, and fill your washing machine.
  • If you are replacing an appliance choose a much more efficient model (A+++)
  • Consider motion sensors for lights in hallways.

Cooking

  • Plan your cooking, so you can fill the oven instead of cooking lots of small things separately.
  • Also bulk cook & store the extra food in your freezer.
  • If using gas hobs, make sure the flames do not come up the sides of the pan, only underneath.
  • Use lids on saucepans.
  • Keep a thermos flask next to your kettle in case you ever boil too much water.

Also whilst in the kitchen…

  •  Make sure that your freezer is regularly defrosted as an over iced up freezer can cost you an extra £200 per year!