Smart Energy Saving Tips to Help You Reduce Your Bills at Home
With the cost of living constantly increasing and the recent events surrounding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, there is no time like the present to start being more mindful of the energy we use on a daily basis. The UK saw the biggest rise in energy prices last April when the nation’s energy regulator Ofgem announced a 54% price cap increase which now stands at approximately £1,971 per year. This has shaken the nation and had massive implications on many households who were already struggling with their electricity bills and overall costs of living. A new concerning forecast from Ofgem has suggested that there will be another energy price cap rise of approximately 51% in October 2022 which had a lot of people worrying.
Bearing in mind how expensive energy bills are likely to become, it is now more important than ever to consider our usage and what there is that we could do in order to save some money off our bills and be kinder to the environment. That is why here at We Buy Any House, we have compiled some smart tricks and tips which could help you reduce your energy usage and therefore cut your electricity bills at home.
1. Understand Your Usage
The first step to managing your energy usage is to understand how it works, what are the time intervals when you are using the most and least, and where most of your usage is coming from. Having that kind of information will make it easier for you to analyse your consumption in more depth and then adjust it accordingly. For this purpose, you could install a smart meter in your house which will allow you to not only track but also control your consumption in real-time even when you are away from home. Nowadays you can receive those insights on your mobile device and make any changes with a click of a button. The way to more cost-effective energy usage begins by fully understanding it so get your smart meter installed today and start saving. Also, it’s worth checking with your provider as that service may be offered for free in your area.
2. Switch Off Lights
As obvious as this may seem, you would be surprised how many people regularly forget to switch off their lights at home. Once you start being mindful of your consumption you may make a habit of always turning unnecessary lights off and limiting their usage during peak hours. According to experts from the Energy Saving Trust, you could potentially save up to £20 a year by turning off your lights when exiting a room which may not seem like a lot on its own but combined with other areas it could accumulate to a significant amount at the end.
3. Be Mindful of The Kettle
Something most people don’t pay attention to is how much water they fill their kettle with. Surely, we do not need half a jug of water for a cup of tea so why are we boiling more water than we need? Filling up your kettle with the amount of water that you actually need will save you both time and money. What’s more, some people will empty their kettle that had water from the day before and fill it up with a fresh one. That right there is water wastage which if you manage to eliminate from your daily life, not only would you be able to save some money off your bills, but you will also become more considerate of the environment. The same goes for overfilling pans and using larger ones when you don’t have to. For example, if you are only boiling some eggs, try to get the smallest pan you have and make sure that the water just about covers them so that there is no water wasted there.
4. Wash Your Clothes at 30 Degrees
It might sound unusual but if you start monitoring your energy usage with a smart meter or any other tool, you will understand why this is important. Washing machines consume so much energy that it’s worth trying out different cycles and seeing if they will make a difference to your bills. Experts suggest that washing your clothes at a 30-degree temperature can reduce your energy consumption and save you around £28 a year. Alternatively, you could try to be careful with the frequency and amount of loads you normally do as well. You should never underfill or overfill your washing machine if you want to stay efficient.
5. Draught Proof
The main reason for heat loss and heat gain are the little cracks in flooring and draughts around windows and doors which let the hot and cold air escape easily. Heating up a room only to have to do it again in an hour is such a waste of energy when you can provide isolation to your home and enjoy the temperature you have set for longer. That is why draught proofing is the gift that keeps on giving that might cut your electricity bills significantly. You could get a professional service or choose the DIY method but either way you will start seeing a difference in no time.
We don’t have control over energy prices but what we are responsible for is our own consumption. There’s not much that we can do to change those prices, but doing little things every day that will likely lower not only our electricity bills but also reduce our carbon footprint is going to help us and the planet at the same time.
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