There are a few obvious ways to reduce energy consumption in your home, from changing your energy supplier to using less gas and electricity as a household. As effective as they are, we thought we would include some of the lesser known tips and tricks you may not have tried to ensure your energy bills will falter in no time.
1. Update your windows & glazing – If you still have single glazed windows in your home and are finding your heating bills to be high, investing in double glazed windows can resolve this, as well as providing an array of additional benefits. Read here for more information about the benefits of double glazing.
2. Replace your boiler – If your boiler is over 10 years old, it will be using a lot more energy than that of a newer model. Although replacing your boiler can be a fairly big investment to make, modernising your source of heating can provide instant benefits and be a more economical option.
3. Insulate your home – Much like glazing, if your home is not properly insulated, you will find yourself turning the heating on much more than could be necessary. There are various ways to improve your home’s insulation, many of which are very cost effective. Energy suppliers are even offering free home insulation deals as they have to meet strict energy efficiency targets set by the government. By making your home more energy efficient, you could save hundreds of pounds each year.
Image from BBC iWonder
4. Time your heating thermostat – By being aware of the heating in your home and knowing how it works, it will be easier to control how long it is on for. For instance, if you have a thermostat in which you control your heating, you can set a timer for the heating to come on at specific times each day. By making this small change, it will prevent the heating from being left on for extended periods of time.
5. Replace or uninstall old appliances – Old appliances can actually use more energy than modern appliances. In fact, one of the main culprits for higher energy consumption is old air conditioners. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, ‘buying a new air conditioner with an energy efficiency rating (EER) of 10, to replace an older one rated at 5, can halve the cost of cooling that room.’
6. Assess your home and make small changes – By becoming more conscious of your energy usage as a household, and developing small but effective habits such as washing your clothes at 30 degrees and turning off appliances that aren’t being used, you will soon notice a difference in your energy bills.
Think you can cut your energy bills? Or do you have any other essential energy saving tips? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @Home_Guidance
If you have any issues with the electricity or heating in your home it is always important to never try and resolve this yourself. You should always be sure to use a professional and reputable company.
Electricians recommended by Home Guidance:
For more information and statistics about keeping your energy usage down, read BBC iWonder’s infographic here.