Adjusting daily routines and smarter appliance use can bring down energy consumption and save you money. With energy bills still taking a toll on many families, finding new ways to manage energy consumption has become a priority. Luckily, saving energy doesn't require breaking a bank or astronomical lifestyle changes. Being more conscious about your daily habits can help contribute towards a long term change.
Here are five energy-saving hacks that are foolproof and simply worth knowing.
Best energy saving tips
1. Lower your thermostat by a single degree.
A very simple thing to do to save energy is adjusting your thermostat a bit. Turning it down by one degree can save heating expenses without it feeling colder in your home. Many people get into the habit of setting their thermostat higher than necessary. Trying to find a more comfortable temperature is one thing, but setting a thermostat to a higher temperature out of habit is another. Once you become accustomed to wearing sweatshirts and throwing blankets, you will find that it is second nature to set your thermostat lower. If you have a programmable thermostat, or a smart one, you can set it to reduce the heat automatically during the times you are asleep or when you leave the house, and you will save even more.
2. Power off appliances
Appliances use power even when they’re not actively being used. This is true for virtually all electronics. Televisions, gaming consoles, and device chargers draw energy even when they’re not being used. Creating a habit of switching devices off when they’re not in use will save you money and conserve energy. For locations with multiple devices, consider using an extension lead with a switch. This will look better than having multiple individual power banks and will make it easy to turn all devices off.
3. More efficient use of washing machines
Washing machines are among the most power consuming appliances in the home, so anything that can reduce their use can save energy. Modern washing powders are effective at almost any temperature, and washing at lower temperatures will use significantly less energy. Make sure to run the machine only when you have a full load. Using a tumble dryer also consumes energy, so consider air drying. If you have the space, heated airers are a good alternative to tumble dryers and typically use less energy.
4. Close the draughts you can’t see
Draughts can be not obvious at first, including the gaps around doors, windows, and floorboards in your house. These draughts can cause the heating system to work extra hard, leading to increased energy use because warm air will escape, and cold will enter. Simple and easy to install solutions such as door snakes, brush strips, and sealant can help with draught proofing. These options can be discreet and improve comfort without affecting the appearance of the room.
“We can all relate to the cold and the need for draught excluders,” says energy efficiency at Electric Radiators Direct, Stephen Hankinson. “Installing these during the warm summer months can put you ahead of the curve for when the temperature inevitably falls later in the year.” “As long as the doors are left closed, it stops cold air from entering the room you are in. The Energy Saving Trust predict this saves as much as £45 a year.” explains heating technology expert at BestHeating, Jess Steele.
5. Keep track of your habits and pick the best plan
Finding out how and when your home spends the most energy is the first step to identifying energy savings. With smart meters, active energy use at any time can be viewed, and they help users recognize energy draining tasks and overtime usage. By actively tracking this, habits can be optimized to minimize energy use or to run energy draining appliances at certain times. After some time, this monitoring can help households figure out if their energy provider is still the best choice. Some energy ramping companies, like Octopus Energy, pair certain plans with smart meter installs that allow you to track your usage better. Keeping track of your usage, and combining it with your plan, can help you avoid paying for energy you don't actually use.
6. Put tin foil behind your radiators
Go to your kitchen and grab some tin foil. Put some behind each radiator.
“Using sturdy double-sided tape to keep it to the wall, will reflect some of the heat back towards your room and is cheaper than reflector foil,” says Andrew Haydon, DIY and home improvement expert at Simply Plastics.
8. Install contemporary dimmer switches
“If your light bulbs are suitable for dimmer switches, this could be an effective way to lower your daily energy usage,” advises Julia Barnes, head of purchasing at ValueLights. “Modern dimmer switches are engineered to limit the amount of electricity supplied to your bulb – dimming your LED will consume less energy compared to the same LED at full brightness.
“Not only does this enhance their energy efficiency, but it also extends their lifespan.”