Following the dramatic surge in energy prices in 2022, many UK households have begun taking steps to re-evaluate their energy needs in order to reduce their costs. Although they won’t put thousands back into your wallet, adopting a few conservative energy practices can add up to save you a significant sum of money every year and have the added benefit of making your household a greener one. If you’re looking for ideas on how to shave money off your bills or be more sustainable at home, keep reading for a list of simple, energy saving tricks below.

1.) Use Energy Efficient Lightbulbs

Swapping out your light bulbs for LED ones is a great first step towards making your house more energy efficient. Research by the Energy Saving Trust¹ shows that this small change can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40kg a year, the equivalent of driving your car around for 145 miles. Not only are LED’s less energy-intensive than traditional bulbs, but they also last longer and produce less heat without reducing the quality of light in your home.

2.) Turn Off Lights and Appliances

Did you know that many household appliances continue to use energy even when they are in standby mode? Switch off devices such as TV’s, phone chargers, or computers when they are not in use or unplug them to save an average of £30 a year.¹

Another simple yet efficient way of saving energy is to get in the habit of turning off the light when you leave a room. Try to utilise natural light instead by opening up blinds and shutters, particularly during the months with longer periods of daylight.

3.) Spend Less on Laundry

Clothes dryers are one of the major sources of energy waste in the home, so consider ditching the machine and air drying your laundry instead, especially during warmer months of the year.

You can also save both money and energy by washing your clothes on a cold setting, as it is not really necessary to use hot water unless your clothes are very dirty. Cold water has the added benefit of helping your clothes to last longer too, as it is gentler on the fabric.

4.) Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Thinking about replacing an old refrigerator, dishwasher or washing machine? Selecting an appliance that has a higher energy-efficiency rating is a great way to go green and save some money in the process. this website ² allows you to assess the running costs and estimated total costs of any appliance and compare it to other models so that you can make the best-informed decision.

If you’re not planning on changing appliances anytime soon, however, you can still improve your efficiency by ensuring that your dishwasher, washing machine or dryer is fully loaded before being switched on.

5.) Get Smart with Your Heating

As almost half of a household’s energy bills comes from heating and hot water, try to only use what you need. Lowering your thermostat by just one degree can save you up to £80 a year³, so consider setting your heating to a slightly lower temperature this winter if you want to save on bills!

A smart thermostat can automatically adjust the house temperature at certain times of the day to fit your schedule, i.e., turning it off when you are away or asleep and raising it during your peak usage hours.

6.) Upgrade Your Boiler

Upgrading your boiler might not sound like an exciting use of your time or money, but depending on what you are currently using, it may save you up to £300 a year³. Around 60% of your energy bills come from running your boiler, so look at it as a solid investment for the future.

Not sure what boiler would work best for you? Check out this article on how to choose the right boiler for your situation⁴.

References:
1.) energysavingtrust.org.uk/
2.) energylabel.org.uk
3.) moneysupermarket.com/energy-saving-tips/
4.) moneysupermarket.com/the-perfect-boiler/