If you are looking for ways to slash your energy bills – whilst still keeping yourself and your home warm – then you need to incorporate some of these life hacks
Rising energy costs are a huge concern for people across the UK.
Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, more and more people are working with tight budgets, and it can be a challenge to stick to them whilst we deal with soaring prices. Many of us are keen to keep our energy bills as low as possible – but that shouldn’t be at the cost of staying warm this winter.
It is possible with a little consideration of your property and habits and some action to keep yourself and your home warm this winter, and still cut your bills. The Energy Saving Trust has said that on average by implementing these minor tweaks, households across the UK could save an incredible £415 on their energy bills. These expert-approved hacks from the National Grid include some really easy ways to lower your bills, just by making some minor changes to your home and behaviour. Whilst these tips promise to help you save money they also have the added benefit of making your home more eco-friendly, so they will minimise your energy usage and be better for the planet.
Firstly, the experts advise that you consider exactly how much water you need when you’re boiling the kettle for your next cup of tea or coffee. You could chop £13 off your energy bills by only boiling what you are going to use, and avoiding overfilling the appliance, which is known to use quite a lot of power per use.
The second tip is to make your showers a little bit shorter. Whilst it’s tempting on a cold day to stay under the hot water for just a little bit longer, having showers that only last four minutes could save you £95 annually. If you prefer a soak in the bath to a shower, then try just swapping one bath for a short shower instead each week, and save yourself an average of £20.
The experts also advise that you think carefully about your radiators. Are there pieces of furniture in front of them blocking the heat? Consider rearranging your room to get the full benefits of your central heating. Equally, fitting reflective radiator panels behind them can help stop heat from escaping – particularly if your radiators are fitted to external walls. Using a timer for your central heating might also help you slash your bills, as well as turning down radiators in rooms you don’t use very often – like spare bedrooms.
The National Grid recommends also turning down the heat on your combi-boiler. “Turning down the flow temperature on your combi boiler to 60°C or below can knock £££s off your heating bill each year and reduce energy waste from your home.
“If 10 million households turned down the flow temperature on their combi boilers to 60°C or below it could wipe £1 billion off UK energy bills and save 1.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions – the equivalent of nearly six million transatlantic flights.”
The experts also advise that you stop using stand-by mode on electrical devices like TVs, microwaves, or smart speakers and instead turn them off at the plug when you are not using them. These kind of appliances are often called “vampire devices” by money experts because they are sucking power even when they aren’t in use – this also applies to leaving your laptop or phone on charge once it’s full. Turning these off at the plug could save you an average of £60-70 annually.
Another incredibly easy-to-implement tweak is simply swapping out your old bulbs for LEDs. Not only do LEDs last far longer, so you won’t have to buy replacements anywhere near as often, but they also use far less energy, which can massively cut the carbon emissions of your home. They also advise you to get in the habit of turning lights off in rooms as soon as you leave them.
Swapping your 40-degree wash for a 30-degree cycle could also save you some money each year, as well as trying to do one load per week. For a lot of larger households just using the washing machine once a week may not be practical, but make sure you are only running your washing machine when it is full – or use a designated half-load setting if your machine has one when you’re cleaning fewer items.
Equally, try and avoid using your tumble dryer where possible. Using clothes horses instead of the dryer could save you up to £70 annually. You can also slash another £17 each year by opting to run your dishwasher one fewer time each week, and only running it when it is full up with dirty dishes.
Finally, consider getting your home draught-proofed. If you do this professionally, then there will be an initial cost, but it will save you money in the long run, by ensuring the heat in your home doesn’t escape through any gaps around doors or windows.
Do you have a story to tell? Email: emma.mackenzie@reachplc.com
