Five Ways to Cut Energy Bills at Home

Energy prices are expected to go through the roof in the coming months with millions of households set to be impacted. The average gas and electricity bill in the UK is to increase to a maximum of £1,971 – an increase of £693 a year. But what can you do to at home to save as much money as you can? It has never been so important to learn how to save energy, but we are here to help as we go through some of the best methods to cut costs.

Turn everything off

Doing something that is as simple as flicking a switch can save you a lot of money. Whether that be your bedroom or living room lights, electronic devices such as computers or TVs or even certain kitchen appliances such as your dishwasher, it can all make a difference. According to the Energy Saving Trust, shutting down electronics completely instead of putting them in standby mode can save you up to £80 a year on your energy bills. In addition, unplugging things that you are not using can also contribute to saving some money because of course if it is not plugged it, it cannot play a part in your energy bills. So whenever you decide to go out for a bit of exercise, don’t fall into the habit of leaving your tech on standby – turn everything off.

Reposition furniture

Not always as easy as flicking a switch, but can be just as effective. Moving certain bits of furniture around can help optimize the heat flow within your home, especially those that are covering or partially blocking your radiators. Furniture blocking radiators can trap heat and prevent it from permeating your home. Not only does this affect how quickly your home heats up but also puts more pressure on your boiler which in turn means it will cost you more money. Therefore, leaving large spaces in front of your radiators will not only benefit your home but also your pockets. You can also place reflective panels behind radiators to stop heat leaking out through adjoining walls.

Purchase Efficient Appliances

Chucking away a decently-working appliance will not do much to save you some cash, however, when it comes the time to upgrade and swap, make sure you get your hands on an appliance which has a high energy efficiency rating. Whether you are looking for a new washing machine, fridge or dishwasher, it is crucial that you take into account the efficiency rating. According to MoneySuperMarket, an A+++ fridge freezer will save around £320 in energy bills over its lifetime compared to an A+ model.

Don’t overdo thermostat temperature levels

Another simple task, turning your thermostat down by as little as one degree can make a significant difference. According to MoneySuperMarket, turning your heating down by one degree could save you up to £80 a year. Therefore, changing the usual temperature you put the thermostat to by a few degrees could save you a lot of money in the long term. Also, if possible, investing in a smart thermostat will also give you better control of regulating your home’s temperature. Having a smart thermostat will provide you with the ability to view and control your home’s temperature from your smartphone.

Draught-proof home

Unless you live in a home that is relatively new, your home will naturally start to lose its heat through draughts around windows, floor and doors. This will in turn make you put the heating on an increasing number of times. To prevent more heat from escaping your home, a great thing to do would be to draught-proof your home. Draught excluders or draught-proofing kits would be simple and effective solutions to this problem and prevent you from eyeing up that thermostat.