When it comes to energy bills, we all would like to save more. Not only would that mean a bit more cash in our wallets, but we can feel good about helping reduce our impact on the environment.
Luckily, there are a few things that can lower the amount of energy you use in your house. By taking some time and putting in a little effort, you’ll benefit immensely with lowered energy bills.
Get rid of phantom loads
Phantom loads (or standby power) is the power that your electronics and appliances use when they are idle or even switched off. They still draw power because of an internal clock, remote controls, or quick-start features. It might seem be something you can ignore but actually, phantom loads can make up about 10% of your energy bill!
The biggest culprits are things in your living room, such as the television, sound system, DVD players and computers. The best way to stop wasting the power is to plug them into a power strip and shut them off when not in use. You can even use smart power strips that detect which plugs aren’t in use and cut power to those plugs.
Seal your home properly
Having a properly insulated home is key to lowering your energy bills. Just think about all the small leaks throughout your home; all of these can add up, meaning you’re letting in quite a bit of heat escape. Help out your central heating system by insulating your home well.
Block hot air from leaving and cold air from entering by placing draught excluders at the foot of your doors. Line the edges of doors and window frame with adhesive foam strips or wipers to close off any gaps. Don’t forget that even your letterbox and keyhole are sources of draughts! Seal them up with a flap, brush, or even a piece of cloth.
The same goes to your loft and loft hatch. Hot air rises and can easily be lost up in your loft or attic. Make sure the space is properly insulated. Additionally, place a draught excluder inside your chimney to seal your house even more.
Upgrade the tech in your home
Sometimes the best thing you can do to lower your energy costs is to upgrade the technology and appliances in your house. This is especially true if your appliances are 10 years or older. There are new models that achieve energy efficient ratings of 90% or higher, meaning you’ll unlock savings in the long-term. For your heating, upgrade your system by installing a condensing boiler with greater efficiency.
Another fantastic way to help you save money is to embrace the smart home trend. One of the most significant is a smart thermostat that you can program. These learn and adapt, adjusting the temperature according to your schedule.
Other products that help save energy and water are smart shower heads, sprinklers, and lighting. These have timers, use less energy, and are easily programmable, helping reduce the environmental impact of your home.
Go cold
I’m not talking about lowering the temperature in your home or showering with cold water. I’m talking about using colder water when you do the washing up or laundry. If you have a dishwasher, turn off the heating option and use any eco programs. This will take longer to clean your dishes but it uses less water.
If possible, wash your clothes in cold water for even more energy savings. 90% of the energy your washer uses when running a load is for heating the water so why not cut down on this? It might make doing the laundry easier too since the colours won’t run as easily; this means you might not have to separate lights and darks as much.
Conserve where you can
When it comes to saving energy, every little bit helps. Although tiny tasks might not seem to be very impactful in your efforts to cut down on energy use, all the small things will add up. That’s why it’s important to conserve wherever you can. Here are a few things you can do to help lower your energy bills even more.
- Line dry clothes as much as possible
- Only wash full loads of clothes
- Fill up your dishwasher properly
- Shorten your showers
- Defrost your freezer
- Use thick curtains in the winter to keep warmth in
- Lower your heating by 1 degree
- Get snug with a few more blankets instead of turning up the heat
- Cool your foods before storing them in your refrigerator