The price of energy has increased significantly since summer 2021 and even more so moving into the beginning of 2022. Whether you’re a homeowner, a private or social renter, a student, or you live with your parents, these increases are certain to affect you. To help you save energy, lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint, we have compiled a list of our top tips and advice on how to reduce your energy consumption and wastage.
1) Unplug your appliances and switch off standby mode
This is a great place to start your journey to reducing your energy usage and is a super easy habit to adopt. When you’re finished with your appliances, turn them off at the plug and never leave on standby mode. Unless switched off at the wall, appliances like your TV continue to use energy, costing the average UK home £35 per year!
2) Improve your window and door insulation
There are plenty of ways to heat up your home without whacking up the thermostat, like making the switch to double glazed window and doors. Or for a simpler and lower cost alternative, closing all of the curtains in your home at night can help to keep any draughts out and the heat in.
3) Turn off lights when leaving the room
Simple but effective – turning off the lights when you leave the room can help save a big chunk of your energy bill, so it’s certainly a habit worth adopting.
4) Switch to LED bulbs
Many homes are moving towards smart LED lights as they not only look stylish and affordable but are also way more efficient than halogen bulbs. LEDs use 80% less energy than halogen bulbs, lowering your lighting costs by up to 80%!
5) Switch to energy-efficient appliances
Two of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home are tumble dryers and refrigerators. There are hundreds of energy efficient appliances on the market these days, so making the swap can cut your electricity usage by up to half, thereby reducing your electricity bills dramatically.
6) Greener clothes washing methods
Be smarter and greener when it comes to washing your clothes! Most modern washing machines offer eco-friendly settings and with today’s effective washing machine detergents, there’s often no need to run your washing machine any higher than 30°C! Where possible, skipping the step of using the tumble drier can make a huge difference to your energy usage too. You can save around £28 a year from your energy bill just by using your washing machine more carefully, and an impressive £55 a year by avoiding the tumble dryer.
7) Smarter Dishwasher techniques
Similarly, when loading your dishwasher, check to make sure it’s always a full load and that you have selected the eco-friendly washing settings. By making sure the dishwasher is full and reducing your dishwasher use by one run per week, after a whole year you could save you £14.
8) Kettle and other water saving techniques
The kettle is one of the most used electrical appliances in the average UK home, but all too often do we find ourselves overfilling the kettle! If you make a conscious decision to fill the kettle to just the amount you need, you could save yourself £11 a year on your electricity bill. You’ll be wasting less water too!
9) Using solar powered devices
There are now loads of clever solar powered gadgets which you begin swapping out across the house; from solar panelled lighting to speakers and keyboards and even CCTV cameras! Solar panels means no electricity is being used at all – the ultimate win!
10) Start using a smart meter
Tracking your energy usage across the home using a smart meter can help you to visualise your energy usage in real time and can give you prompts as to when you can reduce it.
By implementing all 10 energy saving tips across your property, you could save upwards of £150 per year – a saving everybody could personally benefit from! Make simple changes and see big results. In need of help with making your home more energy efficient? As energy saving experts, we can help. Get in touch for further advice on 0116 288 3493.