Keeping electrical appliances running is not cheap, and a typical family spends more than £1,400 every year on utilities. Tweaking your electrical device run time can reduce your energy bills by as much as 25%. This article provides practical ways to save money by tweaking some of your appliances.
Table of Contents
Heating and cooling gadgets.
Heating and cooling devices are the significant miscreants behind voluminous energy bills and are the first places to look for cost-cutting opportunities.
- Check seals on windows, doors, and appliances.
- Fix leaky ductwork.
- Give your thermostat a nudge.
- Adjust your fridge and freezer temperatures.
Water.
Hot water is the second-largest energy-consuming appliance in most homes. Reducing your hot water usage in the shower, dishwasher, and laundry can result in a sizable reduction in your overall energy bill.
- Take shorter showers.
- Replace your showerhead.
- Do not wash clothes in hot water.
- Fix leaky faucets.
- Adjust the temperature of your water heater.
- Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
- Ask about discounted rates.
Power and lighting
Electric lights and other illuminating devices account for roughly 11% or more of a home’s energy usage.
- Swap out your lightbulbs
- Install dimmer switches.
- Use smart power strips.
- Do an energy audit.
Insulate your home
If you want to reduce your energy bills and lower your carbon emissions, insulating your home is one of the best ways to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Start with the walls.
The walls are an excellent place to start because around 35% of the heat lost in homes escapes through the walls. You can reduce your energy bills by properly insulating your walls.
Note: You can insulate solid walls from inside or outside your home. However, you will need a professional to protect the cavity walls. The specialist will drill holes into the outside wall, inject insulation materials into the wall through the holes, and then seal it with cement.
Look up to the roof.
Up to one-quarter of the heat in an uninsulated house is lost through the roof. An effective way to minimize heat loss and, in turn, reduce your energy bills is to insulate your roof.
Down to the floor
Another great way to keep your house warm if you live in a bungalow or ground floor flat is to insulate the floor.
Do not forget those pipes (pipe insulation).
Another quick, easy, and affordable way to save money on your energy bills is to insulate your water tank, pipes, and radiators. Pipe and water tank insulation is easy to forget but can significantly reduce your energy bills.
Sources:
15 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bill-Nerd Wallet https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-save-money-on-your-electric-bill
How to insulate your home and stay warm this winter-Energy Saving Trust https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/insulating-your-home-back-to-the-basics/#:~:text=Cavity%20walls%20can%20be%20insulated,or%20outside%20of%20your%20home
