With energy prices rising and the possibility of power supplies unable to meet demand in the winter, many people are looking for ideas on how to save money on their utility bills. Using less energy is not only better for our wallets,butit is also good for the environment. So, how can you cut down on the amount of energy you use?
Turn Off the Lights
Most of us don’t think twice about having lights on throughout the house in the wintertime, even in empty rooms. Getting into the habit of switching off the lights when leaving a room will help to cut down on the energy you use. You should also switch to LED lighting where possible as this is much more energy efficient than incandescent lighting. In fact, incandescent lightbulbs use nine times as much energy producing heat than they actually do to produce light. Halogen lights are also energy guzzlers and should be replaced with LED as and when possible.
For even more energy efficient lighting, consider getting smart light bulbs that can be voice controlled via smart devices such as Alexa and Google Home.
Turn Down the Thermostat
Heating the home can use quite a bit of energy and can cost a lot of money. You can save on your energy bills by turning down the thermostat a few degrees. Most of us walk about the house in t-shirts in the winter with the heating up high. But with energy prices so high and issues with supplies, it makes sense to layer up and lower the heating. Use blankets at night to stay warm and try to draft-proof your home with excluders and seals around the windows. This will not only keep your house warm and comfy, but it will also save you some money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could save up to ten percent on your annual heating bills by just turning your thermostat down by between 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours each day.
Do You Need New Appliances?
Something that many of us do not realize is that older appliances tend to use far more electricity than their newer and more energy efficient counterparts. In fact, some older appliances continue using power when they are switched off and in stand-by mode. An electricity usage monitor will help you to see which appliances are using the most electricity. For example, you might have a condenser tumble dryer that uses much more energy than a heat pump dryer. Although a heat pump tumble dryer is more expensive than a condenser dryer, it is much more energy efficient and will save you money in the long run. If you can afford to make the switch to more energy efficient appliances, you will almost certainly cut your energy bill each year.
Power Your Home with Solar Panels
Solar power for your home can be achieved with the installation of a solar panels system on your roof. The good folk at Vivint Solar say that such a system will absorb light from the sun and convert it to energy, which can then be used to power various appliances in the home. When your solar panel system is generating more energy than is being used, you will not have to pay for electricity from the utility company. If you invest in a solar storage battery system, you can store any excess electricity that has been generated for use at night or those times the Sun isn’t shining as brightly. When used efficiently, a solar panel system can help to reduce energy bills significantly. Most people who install these systems say that they pay for themselves within a few years and are therefore well worth the investment.
Only Use the Tumble Dryer When Necessary
There are times when you will have no choice but to dry laundry in the tumble dryer but try to find an alternative way to dry your clothes. When the weather is warm, laundry will dry quickly outside. When the weather is cold and wet, you can dry clothing on racks inside. Some people find that placing their laundry on a drying rack and then placing a bed sheet over the rack and behind a radiator helps to dry the clothing much more quickly. The sheet keeps the heat inside the rack;using a dehumidifier will speed up the process. Just remember to turn the clothing around half way through the drying time.
Use the Dishwasher
It might sound counterproductive to say you should use the dishwasher when this is an appliance that uses electricity, but if you put it on an eco-setting, it will use less water and energy than washing them by hand. To make even more savings, you can avoid using the heat dry cycle and open the door of the dishwasher to allow the dishes to air-dry. Some of the newer models of dishwasher have an option to air dry and will automatically open the door once the washing cycle has finished.
Use Your Microwave and Air-Fryer
It is better to cook in the microwave and air fryer where possible instead of the oven. This is because these appliances cook the food much quicker and use far less energy over the cooking period than an oven. Unlike the cooker, microwaves cook the food only and do not waste energy heating up the inside of the appliance.
Take a Shower
Instead of filling up the bathtub, get into the habit of having short showers. Yes, a relaxing soak is something that many of us love, especially on a cold winter’s evening, but if you want to save money on your energy bill then you should give the bath a miss, or at the very least, save it for special occasions.
Conclusion
Making small changes to how you use your energy can help you save money on your bills. Getting into the habit of switching off lights and cooking in smaller, more energy efficient appliances will help you to use less energy and put more money in your pocket every year.