With prices rising everywhere, we’re all looking for clever ways to save money on our everyday bills. Usually, our most expensive costs come from our energy use – so, to help you make the best of your home without losing a fortune, here are ten energy-saving tips for you to try at home!
1. Invest in a clothes airer or horse.
One of the most costly and energy-consuming appliances to use is the tumble dryer. Avoid using it whenever possible, and instead, opt for a clothes horse kept near a radiator. You can also use coat hangers, washing lines, and radiator racks as substitutes!
2. Put on or take off clothes before adjusting the AC
Instead of turning the AC up, try putting on some loose shorts and a t-shirt! In the winter, instead of really cranking up the heat, opt for some fuzzy socks, a jumper, and a warm blanket. A hot-water bottle also goes a long way, especially at night!
3. Don’t leave the tap running.
Never leave your tap running when you are brushing your teeth, washing your hands, washing dishes, etc. You will soon see what a big difference only using the water you need makes on your water bill (if applicable)!
4. Unplug your appliances when they’re not in use.
Never leave your TV, device chargers, kettles, toasters, and so on plugged in and turned on. Many of us believe that because they are not in use, they are not using any electricity. However, the truth is that they are simply on standby, and are definitely still using power!
5. Turn off your lights!
As easy as it may seem, turning off the lights does make a difference to your power bill! Even leaving on small lamps can end up costing you a lot. So, get in the habit of always turning off lights when they are not in use.
6. Draft-proof your doors and windows.
All homes tend to lose a lot of heat in the winter to poorly insulated windows and doors. Use rolled-up blankets, duvets, or more to draft-proof the gaps. You can also buy draft excluders in many shops and online.
7. Only use your washing machine when you have to.
Instead of just washing the clothes you want, when you want, wait for your washing machine to be full before turning it on. When it’s on, try to keep it at a cooler temperature and try to stick to shorter washes, between 15 to 45 minutes long.
8. Only use the dishwasher when it’s full!
Same as with your washing machine, just waiting for your dishwasher to be full before using it will save you a lot of power. If you happen to live alone, it could be worth just washing up yourself, and saving yourself money on dishwasher tablets, cleaning products, power and water!
9. Don’t overfill your kettle!
Many of us tend to fill our kettles completely when we need to boil water. The more you fill your kettle, the longer it will take to boil, and the more power it will use. Only fill your kettle to the amount that you actually need!
10. Try sticking to short showers.
Avoid taking baths frequently, and try to stick to the shower as much as possible. When using the shower, try taking shorter ones by cutting them down to under ten minutes. For many of us, four minutes is plenty of time to wash our hair and body!
FAQs about Saving Energy at Home
What are the most expensive appliances to run at home?
The most expensive appliances we run at home tend to be fan-assisted ovens, air-conditioning units, electric heaters, and tumble dryers. Thankfully, by limiting the amount that you use these appliances, you can save energy and money on your bills!
How can I save money on appliances?
The best way to save money on buying appliances is by buying them second-hand or waiting for sales - for example, why not wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales? You could save serious money running your appliances during off-peak periods for electricity usage, too - when energy companies are likely to put you on a higher tariff!
What are energy-efficient appliances?
Energy-efficient appliances use as little energy as possible when powered on. Some appliances - such as energy-efficient dishwashers - are built to use even less water than you would by washing dishes in the sink!
Do you have any energy-saving tips? Share them in the comments below!
