How to save money on your energy bills
Save money and potentially increase the value of your property with these top tips...
Save money and potentially increase the value of your property with these top tips...
Whether in winter or summer, there are a few tricks you can implement in your home (rented or owned) to help you save on your energy bills.
Small habit changes can make a big difference. The experts at Energy Saving Trust say that you can save approximately £65 a year by turning all appliances off standby mode when they’re not in use.*** You might want to think about getting a standby saver or smart plug. This allows you to turn off all of your appliances in one go – pretty nifty.
If you're replacing an appliance, think about choosing the most energy-efficient model. This can help to cut down your electricity bills. For example, energy-efficient washing machines, depending on size, can save you between £15 and £70 a year. Think about swapping the tumble dryer for drying clothes outside in the warmer weather to save £70 a year.***
Energy-saving light bulbs can help you to cut your energy bills easily. An LED light bulb costs around £1.71 a year to run. Over its lifetime, it could cut up to £180 from your energy bills, compared to an old-style bulb. Remember, energy-saving light bulbs also last longer than traditional ones. If you’re looking to save on bills, it’s certainly worth looking into.***
We all love a long shower – but did you know that spending just one minute less in your regular showering routine can actually save £4 per person per year? Set a timer so you know how much (hot) water you’re using and how long you’re spending in there. If you have a dishwasher, fill it up completely before turning it on. Not only could this save you energy as you’ll be running it less frequently, it also saves up to 6 to 7 litres of water.^
There are many different types of insulation (e.g. loft, cavity and solid wall insulation) available that can help reduce your energy costs.
According to the experts, laying loft insulation to a thickness of 270mm in a non-insulated three-bedroom semi-detached house could save you £355 a year, as less heat is lost through the roof. Similarly, laying cavity wall insulation can save up to £395 a year and solid-wall insulation could save you £540 in the same type of house.*** These are pretty significant savings that you may want to consider.
You can also reduce heat loss through your windows by replacing single glazing with double glazing. Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards might set you back around £225, but can help you save around £125 a year on energy bills.*** If you draught-proof the property yourself, it can be much cheaper. During the colder winter months, you can temporarily draught proof windows with a self-adhesive foam strips or transparent insulating film***.
When was the last time you checked your boiler? Your heating is responsible for more than half of your energy bill each year, so it’s worth having a look. Replacing an old, inefficient gas boiler with a newer, more energy-efficient one could make a big difference to your bill. According to British Gas, upgrading your G-rate boiler to a new A-rated one could save you £840 per year, making this a worthwhile investment.^^
Although this is not a comprehensive list of what you can do to save money on your energy bills, you may find that a combination of these options could save you a few pennies in the long run.
Sources:
*https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9491/
**https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9714/
^^ https://www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/boilers-and-heating/guides/replacing-a-boiler.html
***General source: energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy; https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/lighting/; https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solid-wall-insulation/; https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/cavity-wall-insulation/; https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/roof-and-loft-insulation/;
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/draught-proofing/
^https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/which-research-reveals-how-little-water-dishwashers-use-compared-to-hand-washing-aUDng9Y2iK8E
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