Collaborative Post
Saving energy around the home is a great all-round way to make multiple changes to your home, not to mention the reduction in your households carbon footprint. Saving energy can result in both a more efficiently heated home and lower energy bills, which is a win/win situation for any homeowner.
Turn that thermostat down
As I mentioned earlier turning down your thermostat by a couple of degrees can result in a surprising amount of energy saving. There has also been evidence that shows that turning your thermostat down as little as 1 degree could cut your bills by up to £75 which is not to be missed!
Monitor energy usage
Keeping track of your energy usage can be very simple via a smart meter in your home. They are a great way to get an idea of how much energy you’re using a day and to get an estimate of how much this is going to cost you when the end of the month rolls around. Meanwhile, you can also monitor your energy consumption in real-time using smart meters, providing valuable insights into your daily usage patterns. For instance, implementing smart home energy management can allow for automated control of devices based on occupancy, schedules, and usage patterns, leading to optimized energy consumption and potential cost savings.
Make changes to your daily routine
We all love our home to be just the right temperature whether that be in summer with your air conditioning unit or in winter with your boiler. However, your boiler and air-con can often result in some of the largest energy use in your home so by just turning down your boiler a few degrees or using your air-con a little less you could be making a real impact on your energy consumption.
As well as adjusting your home’s heating and aircon changing something as little as your what everyday appliances are being used can be enough to make a difference in your energy efficiency and can save a surprising amount of energy. We often rely on electric appliances such as dishwashers, tumble dryers and hairdryers in our everyday lives however by doing that little bit of washing up in the sink or by leaving your clothes out to dry in summer you can save a surprising amount of energy.
Install a new boiler
If you noticed over the winter your energy bills seemed to go through the roof it may be due to your boiler being old and inefficient. An old and inefficient boiler can end up costing you just as much if not more than a new boiler in the long run due. Replacing your old boiler could save you up to £320 extra a year as well as reducing your carbon footprint. If you’re looking to upgrade your boiler there are many different brands to choose from such as Worcester Bosch, Vaillant and Ideal. There are other great boilers out there and if a new boiler is something that you think would help make your home more energy-efficient make sure to do your research first.
In addition to installing a new boiler, ongoing maintenance is essential to keep it running efficiently and safely. Scheduling a regular boiler service helps identify minor issues before they turn into costly repairs, ensures optimal performance, and extends the lifespan of your system. Annual servicing can also maintain manufacturer warranties and provide peace of mind that your boiler is operating reliably, especially during the colder months.
Wash clothing at a lower temperature
Washing your clothes at 40 degrees is what many of us do to make sure that our clothes are washed the most efficiently. However, it has been shown that washing your clothes at 30 degrees has the same effect and also saves a considerable amount of energy due to your machine not needing to be heated as much. Plus it has also shown to save up to £52 a year!
Don’t leave appliances on standby
Leaving your electrical appliances like TV’s, Television Boxes and even your phone chargers can still use up a huge amount of energy. Completely switching off these devices, which can usually be done by unplugging them, means that they won’t be using any energy. As well as The Energy Saving Trust has stated that you can save up to £30 a year just by turning that appliance fully off.
Switch your lightbulbs
As well as turning your lights off when you aren’t in the room, why not also switch them out to LED’s too so when they are on, they’re even more efficient. This can turn out to be quite a cost at first however with it potentially costing up to £100 for a household to change all its bulbs. However, in the long run, LED’s last longer, are more energy-efficient and save you some great money in the long run.
Following these tips is a great way to begin to make your home more energy-efficient and not only save yourself some money but begin to reduce your households carbon footprint.