Top 6 Tips To Reduce Your Energy Bills
That got your attention didn’t it! Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to reduce their energy bills in this current climate? With the cost of living on the increase and everyone feeling that pinch lets get to the nitty gritty of how you can lower your consumption, reduce your energy bills and keep more money in your pocket.
Tip #1 stand-by wasted mode: wasted energy!
With more and more of us working from home comes the increased use of computers and office appliances. Computers, printers and photocopiers often do not have an OFF button but are on permanent stand-by, power is used for not doing anything. A simple and effective tip – Try shutting machines down instead of using that sleep mode or switching machines off at the plug socket when not in regular use. Smart plugs are a great tool to put this plan into action – you can set schedules so your appliances only come on when you need them to and you can turn them on or off with a click of a button from your phone – easy!
Tip #2: What’s cooking?
There are loads of ways to reduce your energy consumption in the kitchen! Think slow cookers and air fryers for batch cooking - It is more efficient than an oven as you only heat a small space to cook the same amount of food, and can be used at off-peak times to save you even more money. If you batch cook, re-heating portions is quicker and uses far less energy than cooking a whole meal from scratch. Plus, it is such a good feeling knowing dinner is taken care of, win win!
Tip #3: When is your washing day?
When it comes to washing machines and tumble dryers, they’re your best friends especially if you have kids and a never-ending mountain of washing but they can soon whack up your energy bill. Try washing at 30 degrees and using the eco setting if you have one and only run the washing machine with full loads. Two half loads use more water, detergent and electricity than one full load. Try to use your tumble dryer only when you really need to. With the ever unpredictable British weather it can be tricky to dry your clothes outside (we’ve all been there, the mad dash to get the clothes off the line when a once gloriously sunny day turns into a torrential down poor!) but there’s always the trusty airer that can save the day.
Tip #4: Recharging your battery
Overnight charging can save you so much money! Take advantage of that off-peak electricity. Before you head to bed, pop your phone on charge, along with any rechargeable batteries, laptops, tablets, even your car these days if you have an electric vehicle! Another top tip - Close your apps on your mobile phone – particularly ones connected to GPS, such as Maps – they’ll keep running in the background and drain your battery. Even turn your phone off overnight, if you don’t drain the battery, you won’t need to plug it in to charge!
Tip #5: The Big Freeze
Did you know that cooling the air in empty spaces uses more energy than cooling already cool/frozen food? If you find the fridge/freezer mostly empty, filling empty compartments with newspaper will help your appliance run more efficiently! Keep the cooling elements at the back free from dust so that the air can circulate freely. Putting food that spoils most quickly, like fish or fresh meat and vegetables, in the bottom compartment of the fridge which is coolest might mean you end up throwing less of it away. Keep in mind the location of fridge/freezer, locate it away from radiators and cookers so it is not battling to stay cold. If you’re planning to go away for a long time, you can turn the fridge to the lowest setting, you could even turn it off if it’s empty. Lastly, remember, the thicker the ice, the more energy the freezer uses - so defrost regularly!
Tip #6: Join an ELC!
Saving the best for last! By joining an ELC (Energy Local Club) you save money and contribute to the local community by using locally generated energy from natural resources such as hydro, wind or solar power. Using a smart meter, you decide when it’s the most efficient and cost effective time to use your energy and pay a reduced rate, all while working towards a better future and making a positive change in the world – it’s a no brainer!