It’s impossible to watch the news or listen to the radio at the moment without hearing concerning headlines about the sharp increases in the costs of living. As a result, people everywhere are trying to find ways to reduce their spending. One of the most anxiety-inducing topics is the huge increase in energy costs, which has left many people trying to find ways to save energy at home.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways you can cut back on your use of energy at home. If you’ve been wracking your brains trying to figure out how to save on energy bills but keep the bedroom warm, we’re here to help. Read on for our top tips on how to save energy in the home.
There are a few things you can do instantly to help decrease your use of energy at home in preparation for the colder weather. This chart from the Energy Saving Trust shows how much you can save over the year by doing simple things like taking fewer baths and more showers, putting electrical items on standby, and so on.
If you’re looking to make some permanent changes that will also help decrease your energy bill, follow our tips below.
1. Swap to LED
As we head into the winter months, our reliance on heating isn’t the only thing that goes up. The longer nights and shorter days mean that we’re relying more on electric lighting than during the long summer days. By swapping to LED lights, you can reduce the amount of energy you’re using to light your home. It can seem like a bit of an investment to switch all your lights from halogen to LED, but it’s well worth it. LED lights use almost 2x less energy than halogen, and they have a longer life, meaning you won’t need to change them as much.
2. Light the fire
If you’re lucky enough to have a wood-burning fireplace in your home, it might be time to take out the decorative candles and put the chimney to good use. Using the fireplace in the evenings can reduce the amount of heat you need to pump into the home from the radiators, though of course, it won’t heat the entire house. Using the fireplace isn’t free either, as you’ll need to spend money on firewood. By bulk-buying your firewood and keeping it stored away, you can get a better deal and get everything you need for the cold seasons. An added bonus is that a fireplace adds to your winter ambience.
Note: If you’re trying to save on gas for your heating, it’s counterproductive to light up a gas fireplace.
3. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
A more drastic measure (but one that’s definitely worth it in the long run) is investing in a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats have an app on your phone that allows you to program exactly when you want your heating to come on and how warm you want it at different times throughout the day.
Some smart thermostats even have the capability to learn from your habits and preferences, meaning they will begin to understand when to turn on the heating and how high. You can also use the app when you’re on your way home from work to make sure the house is nice and toasty when you get home, without having to leave it running all day. Depending on which smart thermostat you opt for and the company supplying and installing it, you can expect costs for getting everything set up to be between £100-£300. To give you some context, Nest, one of the leading suppliers of smart thermostats, claims that customers can expect to save roughly 10-12% on their heating bills just in the first year.