The energy check-up everyone should do on their home
One of the most expensive household bills many of us face is our energy bill. Gas and electricity prices seem to be rising more often than falling, and although many of us can make savings by switching energy suppliers, the fact is that more often than not, we are too busy or put off by the idea of comparing different gas and electricity companies.
But luckily there are other ways that we can save money on our energy bills. Some are simple tips that will help you to reduce costs for heating, cooling, lighting, water heating and appliances, and others may be investments that will take some time to start showing a result, but may be worth it in the long run. Performing an energy check on your home is also a smart thing to do as it will highlight areas where you may be spending more than you realise and how you can make savings.
Tips to save on heating and cooling costs
- Turn down your thermostat – by turning your thermostat down by just 1°C in winter you could reduce your energy usage and you will hardly notice the difference.
- Service your heating unit regularly to ensure it runs efficiently.
- Check your draught proofing – good draught proofing can save on your heating costs.
- Check your insulation – if your insulation is more than 10 years old it may not be as efficient as you think, or it could have become compromised in places.
- Use internal or external blinds to shade your home during the day. The right blinds can also benefit you in winter as they can keep the heat in.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters can restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
Tips to save on hot water and appliance costs
- Wash a full load of clothes – one large load generally uses less energy than two small ones.
- Water and energy efficient appliances (washing machines, dishwashers etc) can reduce energy and water use considerably.
- Try putting your clothes out to dry in summer rather than using a tumble dryer – it’s free and your clothes will probably last longer too!
- Stacking food in your freezer evenly can help it work more efficiently.
- Turn computers and TVs off when not in use or install automatic standby power cut-out switches.
Tips to save on lighting costs
- Try using one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed, as this may save money and provide sufficient light.
- Use smaller lamps such as table lamps to illuminate work areas, like computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room unnecessarily.
- Switch to LED lighting where possible – these lights generally last significantly longer than incandescent light bulbs.
In addition to following all or some of these useful tips, it may also be worth checking if there are any grants available in your area to help you switch to renewable energy or solar power.
Furthermore, spending just 30 minutes on doing an online energy check is a great way to see where you might be able to save more money in your home. Simply Energy has an easy-to-use energy check-up tool, which sends a tailored report to your inbox with helpful insights and recommendations. All you need are some of your current energy bills and to provide some information about your home, so why not see if you could save money on your energy bills this year?