Nobody likes to pay high energy bills. Do you know how to save energy at home?
10 answers how to save energy at home
1. Switch your energy supplier
If you pay bills to one of the company from “big six”, there is a big chance you pay more than you can. This can be very important answer to your question how to save energy at home if you are on very bad tariff!
Potential savings (annually): up to £200-300
2. Have energy efficient appliances
When you buy new home appliances, consider those with minimum rating at least B or A, even better if it will be A+ or A++. If you are going to live in that house for years (like 5, 10 or more) it may make a huge difference and affect your bills significantly. However, keep on mind that A-rated appliances may cost more. It all depends how much more. That’s why it’s important how long are you going to use those devices.
Potential savings (annually): up to £100
3. Switch to LEDs
Lights can have very big influence on your electricity bills. Change your old 60, 80 and 100 W bulbs to LEDs. LED as “good” as 60 W standard bulb needs only 8 W to give you same amount of light. You can buy them even for £1 in popular pound chain. It’s easy to calculate that after a week or two you will start saving money!
Potential savings (annually): up to £50-200 (depends how many light you use and how long)
4. Consider Economy 7/10 tariff
Switch your energy tariff to Economy 7 or Economy 10 if that’s available in your area to take advantage of cheap off-peak energy. What’s more, it’s especially useful if you have electric heating or even better storage heaters. Read more here.
Potential savings (annually): up to £100-200 (depends how much cheaper energy you are going to use)
5. Reduce standby time
When you go for 1-2 weeks or longer holidays, disconnect everything at home (of course excluding fridge!) and turn off heating whether you have gas or electric one. All devices in standby mode use small amount of electricity. Even phone chargers. Did you know that phone chargers use more than 90% of energy while not charging but just plugged to wall socket?
Potential savings (annually): up to £10-40 (depends how often you go for holidays)
6. Use covers while cooking
Do you cook a lot at home? Even if you don’t, always put cover on pot. It’s essential especially during summer when you definitely do not need additional heat spreading in your house while losing money on gas/electricity at the same time!
Potential savings (annually): up to £10-30 (more if you cook a lot)
7. Close doors
Close doors to unused rooms and lower heating in less used rooms. Maintain comfortable temperature only where you spend most of your time (like in the living room).
Potential savings (annually): up to £50-150
8. Open window shutters
Open shutters during the day in rooms where is a lot of sunlight. Don’t block free heat knocking on your window. up to £30-50
9. Prevent mould build up
It’s not plain energy-saving tip, rather general refurbishment one, but you also have to remember to ventilate your rooms and heat time from time to time. While it definitely won’t help you to maintain pleasant temperature during winter, if you live in old, poor-insulated house it’s necessary to prevent mould from appearing. peace of mind
10. Heat home responsibly
Remember that half of annual households energy (sometimes more) goes for heating (air/water). It doesn’t matter if you keep your devices unplugged instead of standby mode consuming some energy all the time while at the same time you will be wasting energy for heating home while nobody benefits from that because you are outside home most of the day (maybe except furniture and your cat – but do they really need that?). During winter heat maximum one hour before you wake up and maximum one hour before you come home from work. Then turn it off when you go to sleep (or simply use timer if that’s possible in your home). If you will do it right, that habit will save you a lot of money. up to £100-200
Is it worth the hassle?
In my opinion – definitely! It’s easy to calculate that following all those steps can bring you even hundreds of pounds savings if you live in big, poorly insulated house. If you have more ideas how to save energy at home, please share them in comments with me and other readers. Thanks!
You may also like:
Nutmeg – refer a friend – £100/friend
moneycorp – refer a friend – £75/friend
moneycorp – refer a friend – £75/friend
RateSetter – refer a friend – £100 bonus!
Please keep on mind that I’m NOT a financial adviser and you shouldn’t treat above post as any kind of financial advice. This is just my blog where I share my knowledge but I can be wrong while doing so! Also please remember that any financial decision you will make might affect your finances either positively or negatively. Your capital is always at risk when you invest. You should always read T&C (Terms and Conditions) to make sure you know all the rules.