We all want to keep a few pounds in our pockets. It's what us Brits are good at. So, we want to run you through how you can reduce your energy bills so you can spend less on your energy and more on the things you want to.
So, let's take a deep dive into your home and see how we can help you reduce your consumption!
The living room
Ahh, the living room. The cornerstone of every family. It's the place to relax or socialise for families and friends alike. But did you know, there are lots of different ways to save energy in that room we all love so dearly?
Turn off the TV
There's few things better than snuggling up on the sofa to binge the new series of your favourite show, but did you know the amount of energy that your television consumes? You should always think about the size and type of screen you buy when getting a new tv. With these boxes being one of the largest consumers of energy in the average home, it is important to make sure you get a tv to suit your energy costs. For example, if you purchased an energy-efficient 32-inch LCD TV, you could be using 50% less power than a 42-inch plasma screen. Generally, the smaller the TV, the less it will cost to run but it will still depend on how long you watch it for!
Switch off those lightbulbs
Nobody wants their home looking like Blackpool Illuminations. It's a waste of unnecessary power and more importantly, money. By switching off your lights when you are not in the room or by letting natural light in during the day, you can save up to £25 per year.
You could go even further by replacing your lightbulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescents which use a quarter of the energy traditional incandescent bulbs use. Plus, they last up to 25 times longer!
Kitchen
It's well-known that the kitchen is a super hub for energy consumption. With fridge-freezers, ovens, microwaves and kettles to name but a few, it really is a hive for energy usage (and in some cases... Over-usage). So, how can we reduce this?
Defrost to drop £££
Don't make your oven or microwave work overtime by cooking dishes from frozen. Instead, let them defrost in the fridge or on your worktop to halve the cooking time and save energy. It is also a good idea to defrost your freezer regularly so it doesn't sap more energy than it needs to.
Go glass (and ceramic)
When cooking food in the oven, try to use glass or ceramic dishes rather than metal. This is because they retain heat better, making them more efficient to use in the oven.
Keep that door closed
When you are cooking, try your best not to open the oven door. Every time it's opened, it loses up to 25 degrees of heat which in turn requires more energy to get back up to the desired temperature. An extra tip is to cut large slabs of meat into smaller pieces to help them cook faster.
Bathroom
What do we associate the bathroom with? WATER! To heat that water, you need to use energy which means it does count to a portion of your bill.
Save with your shower head
Using a water-efficient shower head reduces the amount of hot water you use. But don't worry, they don't compromise on quality and will be just as powerful as a normal one. They could save you up to £30 per year.
Switch to showers
Switching on bath per week for a four-minute shower could save £12 on your energy bills. swap out more and your savings could be even bigger!
Turn those taps off
When you're brushing your teeth, switch off the taps when you're not using the water to save serious amounts of water. A simple switch can add up over the course of a year.
Utilities
For many of us, washing clothes can be the bane of our existence. It is a frustratingly mundane task which always seems like it's never finished. It also accounts for a huge chunk of our energy bills. But how can we reduce the amount it costs?
Cold water wins
When using your washing machine, opt for a cold water or 30 degree cycle. It's a little known fact that only the dirtiest of clothes require warmer temperatures to get stains out. By consistently using colder cycles, you could save up to £24 per year.
Overloading = £££
Overloading your washing machine can lead to inefficiency. The clothes don't get a good wash and your machine is working harder to try and clean them. It can also mean you have to rewash garments. To check if you've got the right amount of clothes in, you should be able to comfortably place your hand above the clothes and have some space between you and the wall of the drum.
Auto-drying rules
Does anyone really know how long a tumble dryer takes to dry clothes? If your machine has an auto-dry setting, opt for this rather than timed cycles so your clothes get the right amount of time in the machine. If you don't have one, make sure to regularly check your drying cycle (every 10-15 minutes) so you minimise the chance of over-drying - and potentially shrinking - your clothes!
Air it out
Instead of using your dryer for every load of washing, why not use a washing line to let your clothes dry naturally. This is especially effective in the summer months when the sun is beating down. Not got a garden? No worries! You can get a clothes airer for as little as £10 to dry a whole load of washing on. You can put it outside or keep it in the house, however, it will take longer to dry if it is not in contact with direct sunlight.
Garden
Everyone likes to have a go at gardening. Whether you're a seasoned veteran with the secateurs or don't know your way round-a-rake, the summer is always a popular time to get your green fingers out. But how can you reduce your energy bill and keep your garden looking nice and fresh for those family barbecue's?
'lectric lawnmowers
Electric lawnmowers are much better for the environment (and your purse) than petrol-powered ones. All you need is a charging point for one. You could even opt for a solar-powered mower that cuts your grass sustainably.
Halogen bulbs for brightness
If you have outdoor lighting, use halogen bulbs - they give off a great light and use a quarter of the amount traditional incandescent bulbs do. If you want to spruce up your garden even more, why not get some solar powered lights to plant or place around your outdoor space, bringing a cosy aesthetic for those long summer evenings.
Use responsibly
At the end of the day, using electricity is about being responsible. You can't expect to get a £0 energy bill without living like a neanderthal! Using energy conservatively is your best bet to reduce your monthly statement without changing your usual routines.
Most of all, be realistic. Use your energy when you need to but don't go overboard otherwise you won't see your energy bills take a plunge.