Simple Tips to Save Energy at Home
So, how do you save money on your energy bill? Rule number one when saving money on your energy is switching to a different energy supplier, but there are other ways to save money on electricity and gas. Our energy-saving guide below will teach you how to reduce energy consumption at home while also providing pointers on how to save energy at work in your offices.
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Shut down TVs and computers
Televisions and computers left on standby consume the same amount of electricity as if they were left on throughout the day. The easiest way to ensure you save energy at home is to just switch your favourite electronics off at the wall every time you finish using them.
It might not seem like much, but if you remember to turn things off when they’re not in use, you could start to see a noticeable difference in both energy consumption reduction and a cheaper energy bill.
Draught-proof your home
The more cold air in your home, the more you are going to feel like you need to whack the heating on. Identifying the areas in your home that are vulnerable to draughts and tackling the problem head-on might help you save up to £20 off your yearly energy bill.
Feel for draughts by your doors and windows, which can easily be covered over using draught excluding kits that can be found in most DIY stores that’ll help you save energy at home.
Loft insulation
The heat you spend your valuable money on is much more likely to stay in your home if your loft is insulated well. Why? Well, heat rises, and if your loft is insulated properly it won’t escape through your ceiling.
The recommended depth of blanket-style insulation material is between 250-270 mm, but if you want to be safe, you can always go a little bit thicker. It’s worth checking your existing insulation because in days gone by the recommended depth was once as low as 100mm. You could save up to £215 a year by doing this.
Double-glazing
Paying for the installation of double-glazed windows will be an expensive purchase, but certainly a long-term energy-saving investment. Not only can heat escape through single-glazed windows much easier, but when it’s particularly cold, the single-paned glass windows will struggle to protect you from the freezing wind and air outside.
Efficient home heating
Replacing old, inefficient boilers is expensive and sometimes not a viable option, but it might be worth having a look at government energy schemes to see whether you qualify for any energy grants that will help you improve the energy efficiency of your home. For more information on energy grants, check out our guide: Energy Grants - what are they and who can apply?
If your boiler is okay to continue existing in your home, learn to be clever. It should go without saying that you should only schedule your heating and hot water to come on when you know you are going to be home, or just before so you can heat the house before your arrival. The thermostatic valves on your radiators can also act as a way to conserve energy by turning them down or completely off in the areas of your home you spend the least amount of time in.
Use your appliances wisely
The next time you put a wash on, ask yourself whether it needs an hour-long wash, or if a quick 20-degree refresher wash will suffice - especially if you’ve only worn something for a day or two. It might be smart to keep back the clothes you know need more of an intense wash, so you have the option to do lighter washes more frequently.
The same goes for your dishwasher. Only put it on when it’s full to the brim, and if possible, wash some items up by hand. But remember, to save on energy costs, don’t leave the hot tap on while you’re doing it...
Solar panels
A bit of a wild card this one, but if you’re looking to save energy for the sake of your bank balance and the planet, solar panels could be a worthy investment. They might be considered an eye-sore by some, but part-powering homes with renewable electricity means you can preserve the non-renewable energy that’s going to increase your yearly bill.
Hive and Nest smart thermostats
Both Hive and Nest offer smart heating products that not only make your life easier, but also help you save energy at home, too.
With Hive or Nest smart products you’ll be able to adjust both your heating and hot water to suit you best, telling it to come on at certain periods of the day, while preserving energy during the times you're out of the house.
With the Google Nest Thermostat, you will be sent monthly reports on how much energy you are using and where you can cut back to save the most energy and money. And with Hive, you can choose to purchase Hive Active Light Dimmable Bulbs and Hive Radiator Valves, allowing you to control your lighting and which rooms you heat via the app when you’re out and away from your home.
There’s so much more Hive and Nest can do for you. For an in-depth insight into the inner workings of a smart home powered by either one, check out our guide Hive vs Nest Thermostat, which is best?
We’re here to help you save money
For more ways to save on your gas and electric bill, stay tuned for all the helpful guides we put up here on a regular basis. This energy saving guide is just one of many helpful pieces we create to help you save energy at home, all the while reducing your energy bill.
If you want to take your energy savings to the next level, use our energy comparison engine below to browse the latest and greatest deals for you.
