With winter drawing in and the cost of living continuing to rise, many are starting to worry about how they will stay warm this winter. Whilst the government have provided some households with support to reduce the cost of their energy bills, some are still concerned over how the hike in prices such as water and food are going to impact them long term. It’s an ongoing worry for many, but there are bad credit loans and debt consolidation loans available to provide further financial flexibility if needed. With that in mind, we’re talking a closer look at how you can best reduce energy bills,
-
Switch Off Standby
Very often we all leave our kitchen appliances and other electric reliant products on some kind of standby mode or otherwise plugged in and switched on at the wall even when they’re not in use. However, did you know that doing so could be costing you money, even though you’re not directly using any form of power? That’s right, leaving your appliances on standby may unknowingly be increasing the cost of your energy bills with between 9%-16% of energy being used as a result. Whilst the savings won’t necessarily account for much, switching your products off at the plug is a good habit to get into.
-
Draught Proof Your Home
Another way to reduce energy bills is by draughtproofing your home, which includes all your windows and doors. By doing so, you can reduce the amount of lost energy that commonly escape in these areas of the home. Though it can be a lengthy process, you’ll be keeping the warm air in your home for longer, offering greater comfort and reducing energy bills. Start by filling gaps before resorting to other methods such as installing thermal curtains or blinds, investing in carpets with underlay or eliminating draughts with keyhole covers.
-
Reduce Your Shower Time
After a long day at work or being out in the cold, there’s nothing better than a warm bath to get us feeling fresh. But, taking a bath could actually be costing you more than a shower (or vice versa depending on how long your like to stand under the water). With that in mind, always swap your baths for a shower and aim to spend as little time in there as possible. By doing so, you are reducing the amount of water that goes down the plughole and the energy needed to power and heat your shower (or bath) in the first place. Consider turning off the shower when it’s not in use such as when lathering shampoo or conditioner between your hands. Its these small, subtle tweaks to your routine that will help you save the most money over time.
-
Consider Your Washing Schedule
It’s not just the shower or bath that could be costing you more than your bargained for, but when and how you are using your washing machine. Washing cycles above 30 degrees cost significantly more so it’s always better to opt for cooler temperatures where possible plus, through washing your clothes on a lower temperature, there’s less chance of them shrinking too. Depending on how much washing you have per week, reducing your load to just once a week can help to save you up to £34 per year, which is a great saving!
-
Don’t Tumble Dry Your Clothes
Though it can take longer to get our clothes dry during the winter months, don’t be tempted to use the tumble dryer. Doing so could be costing you an additional £70 per year so, just by taking tips 4 and 5 into consideration, you could save £100 per year just on washing your clothes!
-
Only Run A Full Dishwasher
Sometimes it can be tempting to run your dishwasher even if it isn’t quite full yet. Running your dishwasher cycle multiple times per week requires more energy, so you may be overspending depending on how much you need to run a cycle. Running your dishwasher only once every week or 52 times per year could save up to £17, which is perfect to help you manage my bills.
-
Turn Down Your Thermostat
Another way to reduce energy bills is to turn down your thermostat. Even though when it’s cold inside it can be tempting to whack your heating up high, doing so won’t make your room heat up any quicker so you are actually just using more energy but getting the same result. Having your thermostat on for a longer period of time but at a lower temperature may help to save you money, providing the warmth needed without the high price tag attached. Plus, turning down your thermostat could also help to reduce gas bill, enabling your home to heat more efficiently this winter.
-
Use LED Light Bulbs
In order to reduce electricity bills, turning off your lights when they are not in use offers a great stepping stone to help you manage bills. This is particularly true if you have an exterior light that’s kept on all night or one that automatically switches on at certain times of day. Alternatively, switch to LED light bulbs where you can. They are much more energy efficient and have a longer lifespan than standard lightbulbs so are great for both reducingenergy bills and the cost of replacing them.
Reducing energy bills is so important with further household bill increases set to come into play in the next few months, putting even more pressure on individuals and families. By keeping these tips in mind, you can reduce the cost of your bills, ensuring you can both stay warm this winter whilst enjoying everyday luxuries.