Currently, things are hard. We are just emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic; people are now trying to find normalcy in this post-COVID world. For this reason, people are looking for ways to save money on all fronts. Below are five energy-saving tips: 

1. Switching off the lights and appliances when not used 

This may sound like an obvious tip for saving energy, but people often ignore or fail to implement it. What people do not know is that any little change makes an impact, no matter how small. If you must leave your lights ON at night to illuminate whatever part of your property you want, you should consider investing in energy-saving bulbs. LED bulbs are the best for this because they are not only efficient but convenient as well. LED bulbs are readily available and cheaper to buy as well. 

After using any appliance, consider unplugging it or switching it OFF from the socket. In other words, turn them off rather than leave them on standby. Did you know that taking this simple action will save you approximately £35 every year?

If you are looking for other tips on cutting back your spending and saving money in the process; then budgeting is a great way to begin. Read our budgeting guide for more insight. 

2. Decrease energy consumption 

The idea behind this tip is to decrease energy consumption wherever possible. Find the best place to compare energy prices so you can choose an energy provider that offers the best rate. Make sure to compare apples to apples. How can you achieve this? For example, if you prefer washing your clothes with the super-hot washing method, consider decreasing the temperature a bit. You can set your washing machine setting to 30°C, which will significantly decrease your electric bill. Another technique is decreasing the number of washing cycles you do. According to the Energy Saving Trust, one fewer washing cycles will save you about £8 per year. This technique should also apply to your dishwasher. 

Also, if possible, consider hanging your clothes instead of using a dryer. Remember, when the time comes when you need a new appliance, you should always opt for energy-saving appliances. Energy-rated machines will save you money, and they are even eco-friendly. 

Did you know that a microwave tends to use much less energy compared to ovens? That is because the energy used by an oven is used to cook food. For this reason, if possible, cook your meals using the oven in one go or cook multiple items in one go. This may save you about £80 a year. 

3. Home Heating

The truth is that heating your home is expensive. However, did you know that turning down the thermostat by 1°C can save you about £80 a year? This is based on research by the comparison website uSwitch. For this reason, if you can sacrifice just a few degrees, you can significantly save money on energy. 

For more money-saving tips on home heating, click here

4. Home Insulation 

We often use a lot of energy during the cold months, when we are forced to blast our home heating units at full force. Things tend to be worse if your home is leaking the heat produced. For example, heat is known to be lost by 25% through our roof. However, if you consider insulating it, you will be able to save a lot on heating energy.  This means that you will not be forced to turn on the heating often, which can save you up to £130 per year. 

Other home improvements that will save energy include: –

  •   Insulating the pipes
  •   Installing a chimney draught excluder 
  •   Installing draft-proof doors and windows 
  •   Installing double glazing or triple glazing windows 
  •   Investing in cavity insulation 

5. Smart thermostat 

The primary function of a thermostat is to control the temperature. The benefit of having a smart thermostat is that you get full control of your home’s temperature even when you are not at home. It will inform you of the energy you are using to run the central heating through its smart meter feature.  Another benefit is that you can set the temperature you want by allowing it to maintain a specific temperature. 

The information you will get by investing in a smart thermostat will help you gain the knowledge you need about your heating and ways you can save money. 

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