Top 10 Tips to Save on Energy Bills
I think we can all agree electricity is something we simple take for granted these days. Electricity keeps everything going and helps light up our everyday lives. Just by pressing a button, we are able to go about our business hassle free - in the warmth, in the light and with all our 21st century gizmos and gadgets running all day long!
Today, as more people spent longer periods at home due to the Coronavirus outbreak, many have seen an increase in the energy bills and will be paying more than they used to.
According to Thisismoney.com, “More than a million households could see a typical rise of £244 to their annual energy bills at the end of April 2021, new research has revealed.
Some 56 fixed deals finish this month, with more than 1.3million homes facing a £324million rise to bills in total, according to data from Uswitch. It said the potential increased cost is the highest since July 2019.
When fixed deals come to an end, customers are automatically moved onto a Standard Variable Tariff, which are typically among the worst value deals on the market.
This hike is sadly not something we have control over. However, something we can control is reducing our energy consumption in order to keep bills low and help the environment. Reducing energy consumption can be done through everyday actions. Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, a student, or living with your parents, there are lot of things that you can do to lessen how much energy you use and therefore reduce how much is spent.
Check out our top 10 tips to help you save money on your bills today:
1. Insulate your home and invest in double glazing
Insulating your home is one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy bills. It helps by retaining the heat through the winter and keeping you cool during the summer.
The insulation level best suited for your property will depend on the location of your house. The main areas that needs be prioritized for the installation are your attic, walls and floors. Getting those well insulated stops heat escaping and bills shooting up. If you’ve got single glazing and a lot of heat is being lost through the doors and windows, install double glazing to more efficiently trap the heat.
A well-insulated home reduces unnecessary heat loss. This can be costly initially but is indeed beneficial in the long run – double glazing can last up to 20 years or more in a typical terraced property in the UK. We think this is a really good investment to make.
2. Draught proof your home
Like insulation, draught-proofing your home is essential for keeping heat from escaping through leaks. If your home is old, you will lose some heat through these leaky areas around doors and windows, floor gaps, or through the chimney.
Draught-proofing can cost you around £200, but can save you about £25 a year on energy bills. If you want a cheaper option, you can attempt some DIY draught proofing by using sealant materials. Seal off the areas like joints between the ceiling and the tops of windows, around any bathroom vents, and near your building’s foundations. This will help keep draughts at bay and keep your rooms warmer.
3. Turn off the lights and standby appliances when not in use
According to Homeowners Alliance, “UK households spend an average of £35 leaving appliances on standby, so make sure to switch yours off at the plug. Research has also shown that leaving electrical items like laptops on charge after the battery is full costs around £3 a year.”
A lot of energy is waster through leaving the lights on and appliances plugged in that aren’t being used. Even charger cables that don’t have anything plugged into them but are still connected to the socket, can waste electricity.
Set a reminder to yourself to not leave anything on standby but rather unplug them and save your energy bill. You can save on your monthly electricity costs by making something as simple as this a new habit that is incorporated into your daily routine as a household.
4. Switch to LED Light Bulbs
Light will account for a large chunk of your bill at the end of each month. Save on your energy bill by replacing older incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs also known as “energy-efficient light bulbs”.
Many homes are now switching to LED lights as they can help you cut your energy bills easily and use almost 90% less energy. Plus, they can last up to 12 times longer than the old ordinary light bulbs.
Here’s a handy guide to find out more about light bulb running costs:
*Based on the average household - 2 hours of use per day, average of 45 bulbs per house. Data from OVO Energy and CBS News.
Data source: The Electric Encounter
Initially, you will pay more in purchasing energy-saving light bulbs but, you’ll have recouped the cost before they need replacing. We think this is another fantastic investment to make!
5. Switching to energy efficient appliances
This isn’t a cheap move. However, if you’re replacing and upgrading appliances, going for one with a high efficiency rating of A+++ can be a great investment. They’ll use far less energy and will absolutely save you money in the long run.
Appliances like your fridge, dishwasher and washing machine are the most energy-intensive appliances in a home and are responsible for a high proportion of your household’s overall energy consumption. Replacing these with more efficient models can cut the electricity usage by half, therefore reducing your energy bills.
Remember that the higher the energy rating for the size you require, the less the appliance will cost you over time.
6. Reduce water usage
Like replacing your lightbulbs to LED, another easy solution is to replace your shower head. Buying a more efficient shower head can save you as much as £18 per person a year on energy bills.
To simply reduce your water consumption - try taking quick showers, use only exactly what you need when cooking and turn off running taps. Use a bowl of water to do your washing up and can save you £25 a year.
7. Control the thermostat at a lower temperature
This is a very simple move. Aiming to keep your thermostat at a lower temperature or reducing it by just one degree can make a big difference and help you save up to £75 - £85 per year.
8. Get savvy with automated and smart devices
Smart automated devices like smart thermostat and energy-saving gadgets can save you money and lower your energy bills. Smart automation systems will detect when you’re no longer using a device and turn off the power supply.
By using it, you can control heating just by using a mobile app or desktop. Thus, you will be able to manage your home’s temperature from wherever you are and at whatever time of day to ensure that energy isn’t wasted.
9. Get a smart meter
Monitor your energy consumption by using Smart energy meters. Smart meters provide info on how much energy you’re consuming and will make your home more energy efficient.
This is also an added convenience for you as your new smart reader will provide automated meter readings to your energy supplier and makes a more accurate energy bill. This will certainly help in keeping track of your real-time consumption, which appliances are costing you more and where you can reduce it.
10. Understand your energy bill
Lastly, to finish off our top ten energy saving tips, a great way to take control of your energy use is by understanding the terms on your bill.
60% of people find their energy bills confusing. They find it hard to understand the electricity unit pricing and costs. Every bill might seem confusing at first glance, but it’s full of useful information about your energy tariff, household consumption, and more.
Understanding your energy bill is the first step towards working out whether you are paying too much for energy and by checking the information on your energy bills regularly can:
· Prevent you from overpaying for your energy supply
· Ensure that you are being billed correctly
· Help you keep track of your tariff
It can be overwhelming to try and make sense of every detail in our energy bill but like anything, if you have a handle on what you are using and what is costing you the most within your household, you will be able to manage it accordingly. Combine this with all of our top tips and you could save yourself a lot of money over the course of the year.
I think we can all agree, we would rather spend that money on a holiday or something nice? Happy Saving!
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