In the past few months, prices have skyrocketed, and energy bills are no exception. However, you can apply a few tactics to reduce your energy costs.
Here are 8 tips that will save money on your fuel bills:
1. Switch off anything on standby
There’s no need to keep electricals on standby all the time. If you’re not using it, turn it off at the socket.
Although the standby setting is an energy-saving mode, it still wastes energy when it’s on. The days of using a standby setting are long gone.
If you’re struggling to upgrade your home to be energy efficient, you can get a 3000 loan to help cover the cost.
2. Draft poof everything within an inch of its life
Make sure you have good quality draught excluders around doors and windows. Draft proofing will help keep heat in your home and reduce energy bills.
Proper insulation throughout your property will save money in the long term, and you may be eligible for a local authority grant to help with the cost.
People in Wales can use the Nest scheme. The Nest scheme provides (in certain circumstances) funding for Welsh homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. Read more here.
3. Turn off the lights
When you leave a room, make sure you turn off the lights. It’s easy to forget, but it can impact your energy bills.
If you can’t remember to turn them off or you live with teenagers or young adults that don’t turn lights off, you can always replace your light switch with a timer switch that turns the lights off after a few minutes – these are useful in stairwells and places you only need to be in for a short while.
Energy-saving light bulbs use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, saving you money in the long run. It’s worth bearing in mind that, eventually, you will only be able to buy LED and energy-saving bulbs.
4. Tips for economical use of your washing machine
Washing clothes uses a lot of energy, so it’s essential to be as efficient as possible when using your washing machine. Only wash full loads, and use a lower temperature setting if possible.
If you can stand the noise or your washing machine is in your garage or soundproof storage area, consider using it between 10 pm and 5 am when electricity costs are cheaper.
The most expensive time to use your machine is in any peak period between 4 pm and 9 pm and all day Saturday and Sunday.
5. Shower less and don’t bath at all
Showers use a lot of hot water, but baths use loads more, so showering less can help to reduce your energy bills and to leave the tub empty can save even more.
Try showering with friends or bathing children together, but we don’t suggest sharing with strangers.
6. Don’t tumble dry
Tumble-drying clothes are one of the most energy-intensive things you can do. Hang clothes out to dry instead. If the weather stops you from hanging out your clothes, consider buying an electrically heated towel rail to dry them on.
A heated towel rail uses a relatively small amount of electricity compared to putting the central heating on, which will also warm the room it’s in.
7. Use your oven wisely
When cooking, try using the oven for multiple items at once. You can also cook food in advance and then reheat it when you want to eat it. wise cooking will save you both time and energy.
Better still, consider buying a multi-function air fryer. Air fryers are much more economical than your oven as they use little or no oil to cook food super quickly.
The multi-function models slow cook and have a pressure cooker setting, meaning your dinner can be cooked using less energy.
8. Be kitchen savvy
One of the most often used kitchen appliances is the kettle. However, many of us will readily admit to boiling the kettle when it’s full rather than using more water than we need.
By not overfilling the kettle, you can cut your annual electricity costs. If you do fill the kettle, use all of the hot water. You can store it in a flask or use it for other household chores.
Consider using an aerator – adding an aerator to your current kitchen tap would allow you to lower the flow of water while maintaining proper washing and rinsing functions.
An aerator is a small device with tiny holes that attach to the taps’ spout. You can purchase one for a few pounds at reputable hardware stores, which can help you save money.
While we don’t want you to sit in the dark shivering, we want you to stop wasting energy for the sake of your pocket and the good of the planet.