As all of us are aware, the energy prices are rising and for this reason it is very important to reduce energy waste, be more mindful how and when we switch on the heating, the time we spent under the shower and make our homes work harder for less.
Here we will share some tips that we hope will be useful and help you keep those bills a little lower.
Put some layers on
Even if we don’t like putting too much of clothing on as it is a little movement restrictive, this will be the first thing we do encourage you to do.
Warm clothes for indoors and outdoors this winter- wear long-sleeved tops, fleecy jumpers, wooly socks, cosy slippers and more.
Another tip is the old fashioned and so useful water bottles. They do wonders in those cold months.
Cosy blankets and thick duvets
Make your space cosy and feel warm by investing in woolly blankets and thick duvets.
There are so popular these days and there is so much choice out there.
Avoid heat loss
To avoid losing heat it is very important to draught – proof your home.
Close the doors and windows, use draught excluders so to prevent any warmth to escape from your rooms.
There is a government grant which many households are eligible for, so it is worth checking.
Bleed the radiators
Get rid of any air bubbles in the system that may prevent hot water from circulating. This will reduce the energy you will need to heat the water and this will reduce your bill.
Be your own smart thermostat
You can adjust it manually and this saves you money.
Normally we would say people reach for 23 degrees, but reducing it to 19 can reduce your bill significantly.
Every degree should reduce your bills by about ten per cent
LED bulbs
LED lights are more efficient than halogen or incandescent light, and also they last a lot longer.
A lot of energy providers offer smart meters at the moment, so we do recommend to check with your utility provider.
This way you will be able to keep a close eye how much power you are using and how much it is likely to cost.
Energy sufficiency appliances
Some pieces of white goods and cooking equipment waste more energy than others.
For example air – fryer is ready to use straight away while you will need to preheat the oven.
If you can cook it in the pan, over the gas hob, choose this option and avoid the oven. If you are using the oven – plan ahead and may be roast a few dishes at the same time.
A lot of the time we fill up the kettle instead of filling it up only for the cups we need. We often only need 150ml for a cup of tea or coffee, not the full kettle.
Use smaller heaters then the central heating
It takes far less energy to heat one space than to heat a whole home
You can invest in a small heater and switch it on when it gets cold rather than reaching for the thermostat.
Fire Places – Close the damper
Close the damper when not using the fireplace and the heat in the room won’t be able to escape.
By installing a glass screen will make the fireplace more efficient and also prevent drafts.
Turn your appliances on Standby
Switching off all the appliances and gadgets around the house at night can really help. It might be a little time consuming, but it can reduce your yearly bill by £150.
Water
Water usage is closely linked to energy use.
The average UK household uses around 330 litres of water a day – or 140 litres of water per head every day.
Using water wisely at home can make big difference to your water and energy bills.
• take short showers instead of baths
• swap your shower head for a more efficient model
• use cold water instead of hot when you can
• make sure washing machines and dishwasher are full before using them
• turn off the taps when brushing your teeth
Curtains do work in our favour
Let the sun get in and warm up the rooms and close the drapes when it gets dark outside. This is preventing the drafts and slow down the heath loss through the glass.
Cold Weather Payment
You might be able to qualify for a Cold Weather Payment If you receive any of the following state benefits: Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest.
Contact your local council for more information.
We hope this post has inspired you and will help you keep warm and cosy but keep the bills a little bit lower.