With the rise of the Energy Price Cap, households are being encouraged to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These are our top tips on how you can save energy in your home:
1. Fit a water saving shower head
Reducing your water usage can cut bills for those on water metres, reducing energy costs as when you use less water you usually heat less water.
Money Saving Expert claim for a typical family you can save about £35 a year on average for a typical home.
You can find other water saving tips and order a Free Water Saving Kit from Northumbrian Water here.
2. Draught-proof windows and doors
Walk around your home spotting window and door draughts.
Energy Saving Trust claim decent draught-proofing can save around £40 a year on average for a typical home.
You can make your own draught excluder here.
3. Use your microwave more
Save energy by using your microwave more. You’ll save energy because it’s quicker than using the oven or stove.
A slow cooker is also worth considering as they’re one of the most energy-efficient kitchen appliances and cooking your vegetables in a three tier steamer pan will reduce the need to use multiple rings on your hob.
4. Switch off standby mode
According to Energy Saving Trust, you can save around £55 a year by just remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
Most electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming.
5. Close your curtains at night
Closing your curtains at dusk when the temperature starts to drop will help your home retain heat. This helps keep warmth in the room but be careful to not drape them over radiators.
6. Don’t fill the kettle to full
Avoiding overfilling the kettle, the more water you boil, the more energy you use. Be conscious about when you fill up the kettle, so you don’t overfill, this could save you up to £11 per year according to Energy Saving Trust.
7. Turn down the thermostat
This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy usage. Money Saving Expert reckons for each degree you cut the thermostat down by about £65 a year on average for a typical home.
The World Health Organisation says that 18 degrees is enough for healthy adults, with slightly higher temperatures needed for some vulnerable groups that may be more susceptible to the cold. Anything over 21 degrees celsius may be excessive and is likely to lead to higher bills.
8. Turn off lights
Remember to turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. Energy Saving Trust claim this can save you around £20 a year on your annual energy bills.
9. Avoid the tumble dryer
Avoid using the tumble dryer where possible , as it uses up a lot of energy. The Energy Saving Trust reckons you could save £40 a year if you never use it.
Drying your clothes on an airer or on a washing line in warmer weather.
10. Use LED bulbs
Which claims, energy-saving light bulbs can help you to cut your energy bills easily. An LED light bulb costs roughly around £1.71 a year to run. Over its lifetime , you could cut around £180 from your energy bills compared to an old-style bulb.
Energy-saving light bulbs also tend to last longer than traditional ones.
11. Spend less time in the shower
Energy Trust Saving claims, spending less time in the shower, keeping your shower to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £65 a year on their energy bills.
12. Swap your bath for a shower
Swapping just one bath a week for a 4 minute shower could save a typical household £11 a year on your energy bills according to the Energy Saving Trust.
13. Wash clothes at a lower temperature
Using your washing machine more carefully, by washing on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures and reducing your washing machine use by one run per week. This can approximately save you £28 a year according to the Energy Saving Trust.
14. Use radiator thermostats
Don’t heat the whole house when you’re spending all day in one room. Installing thermostatic radiator valves allows you to control the temperature room by room, and could save you almost £85 a year on average for a typical home, according to Money Saving Expert.
15. Reduce your dishwasher use
According to the Energy Saving Trust, reducing your dishwasher use by one run per week for a year could save you £14.
Doing your dishes in a bowl of warm water is the best way to save energy and water usage.
