- 10 January 2023
10th January 2023 - It’s National Cut Your Energy Costs Day – here are some of our tips and tricks!
The 10th of January is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day - which encourages us to explore changes we can make in our day to day lives that will reduce our energy consumption. If you’ve set any financial or environmental New Year’s resolutions, what better day to participate in!
We’ve compiled a list of some of our top energy saving tips to try this month, so have a read and get inspired!
Check your thermostat
Turning this down even by just a couple of degrees will make a big difference!
Heat individual rooms, not the whole house
Don’t waste money on heating your whole house when you’re only using one or two rooms. Be selective about which parts of the house you’re heating and turn those extra radiators off.
Use draught excluders and heavy curtains
Heat your home more efficiently by using draught excluders on doors and heavy curtains on large windows to keep the cold out.
Switch to LED lightbulbs
Much more energy efficient and cost effective, LED bulbs are the way forward! Remember to switch them all off before leaving the house too.
Cut down on baths
Baths use a lot more water and energy than showers, so try to limit your baths per week and switch to a shower instead.
Unplug your devices when you’re not using them
Unplugging your devices and appliances when not in use is a great way to save energy, as they still use energy even when turned off if left plugged in. This is known as ‘phantom load’.
Check your appliances
If you’re using old appliances, they may not be very energy efficient. Although it might be expensive to replace old appliances in the short term, it will really help to save money in the long term.
Be more careful with your washing
Reduce your washing machine cycle to 30 degrees and opt for a quick cycle where possible. Aim to cut down on the number of loads you do each week.
Use your tumble dryer sparingly
Instead of hammering the tumble dryer, use racks beside the radiators to dry clothes, or try a heated airer. Although there is an up-front cost to consider, these are very inexpensive to run.
Install a smart meter
Using a smart meter is a great way to keep track of exactly what you’re spending day to day and where you need to pull back a little. With a bit of planning, it will help you to reduce your bills over time by giving you an insight into what’s costing you the most money.
Why not challenge yourself to get savvy with your energy costs this year, and kick it off with this list of ideas as a starting point for January! If you have any other energy saving tips that have been effective in your home, share them with us so we can add them to the list!