It’s always a worry when we see the prices of our gas or electric bills going up. And with energy costs soaring, it’s vital that we learn how to save money on our energy bills right now.
In fact, making an effort to include a few energy saving tips into our daily routines, can make a huge difference to our pockets. Things we often take for granted such as leaving electrical appliances on standby could be costing us a fortune each year.
The good news is that there are plenty of energy saving tips we can all do to reduce our energy bills and save us serious money. What’s more, it will reduce our carbon footprint and perhaps. Here are 11 top money-saving tips to cut down on your energy bills.
1. Turn down your thermostat by one degree
We all love a warm and cozy home, but our heating bills can often be costly. By simply turning down your thermostat by one degree can save you hundreds a year. For every degree you turn down your thermostat (and leave it there) you can save between 1 and 3 percent of your heating bill. You can also invest in one of the best smart thermostats to ensure you don’t waste energy, and save substantial money on your bills.
2. Switch off unnecessary lights and appliances
This is an easy one, but how often do we leave lights on when we’re out of the room? Such bad habits can cost us. Instead, you can use one of the best smart light bulbs that are LEDs, cheaper to run and will significantly reduce energy use. Better still, you can also consider combining your smart lighting with the best smart home devices so you’ll never have to lift a finger!
3. Insulate your windows and block drafts
During the winter, a lot of heat escapes through gaps in our windows or around our doors. Keep drafts out by knowing how to insulate your windows, or use a simple draft stopper to banish chills from doors and windows. This should cut down on your heating bill.
4. Close your fireplace flue vent
There’s nothing lovelier than a roaring fire on a cold, snowy winter day. However, there’s nothing worse for your home’s heating bill than a fireplace flue that’s been left open — it’s an easy conduit for all that hot air to rise up and out of your house. If you’re not using your fireplace, make sure that the flue damper — a large piece of metal that sits above and inside your fireplace to block the flow of air — is closed. If your fireplace has glass doors, make sure they’re shut, too. Of course, don’t forget to open the damper the next time you want to start a fire.
5. Bleed your radiators
This may seem like a boring task to do, but will save you hundreds on your energy bills. If you want your central heating system to work at its best, you’ll need to learn how to bleed your radiators to remove trapped air. A sure sign is when the top of your radiator feels cooler than the bottom. If your radiators are blocked, heat will not flow through properly, which often makes us crank up the heating and waste money.
6. …and don’t heat empty rooms
If you have a room that you don’t often use, there’s no point heating it. Save money by turning the radiators off in the room; if you have central air, close the vents in that room. Then, close the door to that room to prevent any hot air from getting in — and cold air getting out. There’s no point wasting energy if there is nobody in the room.
7. Don’t leave tech devices on standby
Leaving our electronic devices on standby is a common habit. However, by simply turning them off, we can save serious cash. Be it one of our best TVs, laptops, speakers or other devices, energy is drained without us even realizing it. In fact, this is often known as the ‘Phantom Load’. Make sure you always switch off the power of devices after use to save money.
8. Don’t overload your washing machine or dryer
Although we think we’re being more efficient with our laundry chores, avoid overfilling your washing machine or dryer. By doing so, the appliances are working harder to wash a heavier load, using much more energy. Similarly, don’t underfill your washing machine, as you’ll end up wasting water and power. Instead, always fill your laundry to the correct drum capacity required. Plus, you don’t want to risk breaking your appliances, which would add another cost! If you find yourself doing more laundry, it might be worth looking at one of the best washing machines or the best dryers to find one with a larger capacity.
9. Use the eco mode on appliances
Most dishwashers or washing machines have an eco mode or power saving function to save energy. By using this mode often, it will give you the best cleaning power at a lower cost, saving you money in the long term.
10. Get a smart meter installed
Smart meters keep track of how much energy you’re using. Monitoring your energy will help you become more aware of how much you’re spending, so that you can keep an eye on those rising bills. Many utility companies are starting to install them in residences, but you can purchase a third-party smart energy meter, such as the Sense ($299, Amazon) that can track which appliances are using the most electricity.
11. Get your attic space insulated
We lose a quarter of our home’s heat through poorly insulated roof and attic spaces. There are a number of different types of insulation, from fiberglass to cellulose to expanding spray foam; the important part is to make sure the R-value (a number that indicates the effectiveness of the insulation) is appropriate for your area. Colder climates should have insulation with a minimum R-value of 49, while houses in hot climates should have an R-value of 30, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You’ll also want to make sure that the area around any pipes or vents leading into your house are properly sealed.
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