We’re all feeling the squeeze as we brace ourselves for big gas and electric bills over the next few months. On top of that, it looks like prices will be going up again in the autumn! So, we wanted to share with you some of our top tips for saving on your household energy bills.
Of course, only a few of these things will be free, but you should think about the long-term. It may seem counter-intuitive to spend money in order to save it, but unfortunately these higher prices look like they’re going to be around for a while. Spending a little now to save yourself a fortune in the future is an investment worth making.
Here are our top 5 energy saving tips:
1. Buy more efficient appliances
As they age and see more use, appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers can become a lot less efficient and can turn into real energy hogs. Upgrading to new machines does mean splashing out, but keeping your old ones can cost hundreds of pounds more in energy each year, so this is another great investment that will more than pay off in the long run.
While you’re at, avoid using the tumble dryer if you don’t really need to, and aim to wash your clothes at 30 degrees, instead of 40 or higher. Modern detergents work just as well at lower temperatures, and each wash will use a lot less energy.
2. Check your home for drafts
Especially important if you’re lucky enough to live in a beautiful older property, but just as important in newer homes too. Buy some draft excluders for your interior doors, and make sure exterior doors are well insulated. You should also check your attic for any holes or damage which might be releasing some of that expensive heated air that’s keeping you cosy in the winter.
However, do be careful – climbing into your attic isn’t always the safest thing to do if it’s not designed for easy access. You might seriously want to consider installing better loft hatches and boarding to make maintenance easier and cheaper in the long run.
3. Switch off appliances on standby
We’ve got more devices and gadgets in our home than ever before, but how many of them are properly turned off when we’re finished with them? Once you start looking, you’ll be amazed at just how many go into “standby” mode and keep drawing electricity even after we’ve hit the off button.
Turning off your unused gadgets and appliances at the wall when you’re not using them may not seem like a big deal, but it can actually save the average home around £50-70 per year, and it all adds up!
4. Upgrade your boiler
Obviously, an older boiler might be becoming less efficient over time, so making sure yours is in tip top condition can make a huge difference. However, have you considered a more modern solution such as a heat pump? Not only are they more environmentally friendly, there use a lot less energy too!
This is not a cheap option, of course, but the government made a grant available in May 2022 as part of there low carbon initiative, so getting in on this new tech is more affordable than ever.
5. Insulate your loft
This is probably one of the single biggest home improvements you can make to save you money on your energy bills. An extraordinary amount of heat can be lost through your roof, so ensuring you have professionally installed loft insulation can greatly reduce your central heating bill. Again, this is an investment that will more than pay for itself in terms of savings.
Insulating the loft of a typical detached family home usually costs around £395, but can save you up to £210 per year, every year – and that’s just at the cost of energy as it is right now. As prices rise, so will those savings!
Interested in finding out more about how loft insulation could work in your home? Find a local installer in your area, or call now for a FREE quotation on 0800 909 8967 or fill in our ‘request a quote’ form and we will contact you.