The recent hike in energy prices coupled with the cold winter months has proved to be a difficult combination for many families. For those who are interested in making their homes more sustainable and environmentally friendly, saving on energy bills is an excellent way to do this. You don’t have to sacrifice the warmth of you and your family to cut costs and spend less every month on gas and electricity. Little things like installing energy saving light bulbs can make a huge difference.
Draughts and Insulation
A typical home loses 20% of its heat through draughts and 15% of its heat escapes through the roof. If you’re serious about saving money on your energy bills, your home must be properly insulated. Draught excluders are inexpensive to buy and come in a range of colours and patterns. Place them throughout the house and get the full benefit of the heating you’re already using. Make sure your windows are double glazed and fitted with adequate locks to both increase the security of your home and prevent draughts from escaping. High quality window locks can be purchased from retailers like the Handle Store. If your loft isn’t insulated, this could be a major source of heat loss. Some homes in the UK are eligible for free loft insulation, so it’s worth checking whether you are entitled to this.
Turn the Thermostat Down
Even turning your thermostat down by one degree can save you serious money. Try putting your thermostat on a timer so that you get the benefit of the heating at important times, like when you get up in the morning and when you come home from work in the late afternoon. Your hot water doesn’t need to be on all day to stay warm when you need it. There are also mobile phone apps that allow you to control your thermostat remotely, so even if you leave the heating and hot water on in the morning, you don’t have to wait until you get home to turn it off.
Say No to Standby
Appliances should not be left on standby when they aren’t in use, for example overnight. Turn televisions, laptops and DVD players off at the plug to reduce your energy consumption. When your mobile phone or electric toothbrush is fully charged, don’t leave it plugged in. These simple steps can be very effective for saving money in family homes. Get the kids involved and teach them good energy efficient habits early. It will serve them well in their adult lives.
