Making small lifestyle changes can have a direct impact on our energy usage. Installing high-tech equipment like smart energy meters and fitting modern underfloor heating is all well and good, but these free and easy tips can save energy and money without the need to spend a penny.
Layer up
Instead of turning up the heat, wear extra layers of clothing and make sure to always wear socks while indoors. Our body heat escapes quickly from extremities like feet, therefore it’s important to keep them toasty and sheltered from cold surfaces. Similarly, put an extra blanket on your bed at night so you won’t be tempted to turn up the thermostat.
Colder water
The reason why our washing machine uses so much energy is because it continuously heats up large amounts of water—according to uSwitch, this adds up to around 90 percent of a washing machine’s energy expenditure. Start washing your clothes at lower temperatures—say 30 or 40°C—and you could save a great deal.
See also: All You Need To KNow About Solar Energy
Hang it up
Another one of our effective energy-saving tips: instead of tumble-drying your washing, hang it up to dry—especially during the warmer months or when there is windy weather. If parting from your tumble dryer is too daunting an action, take your clothes out before they’re completely dry and briefly hang them up. This will limit the need to use an iron—an energy and time-intensive task.
Let the sun help
Even though this will be substantially easier to do during the summer months, taking advantage of the sun’s natural light—and refraining from switching on the lights when they’re not needed—can save you a lot of money in the long run. This goes hand in hand with switching the lights off when you leave a room.
Kitchen pointers
If you know you’re going to use the oven, make and bake as many meals as you can at the same time, so you only need to turn the oven on once. Unfortunately, we can’t—yet—choose to heat any one shelf at a time, so picking timings is important. When you’re done baking, open the oven door to warm your kitchen with stored heat. Similarly, when you’re cooking on an electric hob, make sure you use the right size ‘ring’ for the pan you’re using. Heating a large pan on a small ‘ring’ will use more energy—while heating a small pan on a large ‘ring’ will just waste it.
See also: Save Money On Your Heating Bill
Switch it off
A common misconception about leaving appliances on standby is that they don’t use energy or electricity. This is false—any kind of electrical equipment should be switched off directly at the socket. A rule of thumb is to unplug anything you’re not using regularly. According to uSwitch, chargers continue to use electricity even if they’re not physically charging any devices.
Get to know your timer settings
Keeping your thermostat on a constant low temperature may save you more money and energy than switching it on for quick blasts of heat every once in a while. For this reason, it’s vital to get to know and adjust your thermostat timer settings based on your needs and everyday schedule.
If you have enjoyed reading this article about energy-saving tips, click here to read more on Celebrity Angels about developing an energy efficient home.
