Did you know that home heating accounts for more than half of the energy consumption in UK homes? About 64% of energy costs are due to the use of radiators.
Are you looking for ways to help the environment while also reducing your home energy costs? This guide will help you find easy solutions to your problem. Keep reading to learn what you can do.
1. Unplug Appliances When Not in Use
If you want a simple way of reducing your monthly electricity bill, the easiest thing you can do is unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Chargers are some of the biggest energy vampires. If you aren’t charging your phone or laptop, you should unplug the chargers.
While it might be a little bit of a hassle, you should also consider unplugging your television, microwave, and washing machine, if you won’t be using them for the day.
2. Switch Out Your Lightbulbs
Changing the lightbulbs throughout your home can also reduce your energy costs significantly. Incandescent light bulbs might be cheaper in the store, but they’ll cost you more in the long run.
LED lightbulbs use less energy while they’re on. Since you won’t need to replace them as often, you’ll save money on the cost of lightbulbs as well.
Remember to turn off lights when leaving a room to reduce energy costs as well. You can save by keeping lights off during the day and using natural light.
3. Change Your Appliances
You can reduce your home’s energy costs by changing the larger appliances in your home. Your refrigerator consumes a lot of energy, especially since this appliance can’t be unplugged.
Offset energy costs by investing in a more energy-efficient model. Replacing your dishwasher, washer, and dryer with more energy-efficient models can also reduce your monthly energy bills.
If you use a radiator to heat your home, you should consider an oil filled radiator to conserve energy.
4. Add Insulation to Your Home
Insulation is a great way to keep your home at a constant temperature throughout the year and can reduce your energy consumption. Adding insulation to your roof will help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Since you won’t be adjusting the temperature on your thermostat so much throughout the day, you’ll see a reduction in your energy bill right away. The money you save on your electric bill will help you pay for the cost of insulation.
5. Use Cold Water
If you want to reduce the price of your water bill, you should consider using more cold water. Wash your clothes and your dishes in cold water and shower using cold water as well. Cold water consumes less energy overall.
You can also consider using less water to reduce energy consumption and your water bill. Instead of washing clothes every day, you should wait until you have full loads of laundry to do your washing.
Take shorter showers, turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, and while you’re scrubbing dirty dishes.
6. Hang Dry Your Clothes
Another laundry tip to help you reduce energy costs is to hang your clothes out to dry. A dryer consumes a lot of energy as it produces heat to dry your clothes and linens.
You can avoid keeping the dryer running for hours at a time by line drying your clothes. Use the natural heat from the sun to dry your clothes and keep your dryer unplugged for the day.
7. Try Solar Power
You can also use the heat and energy from the sun to power your home and reduce energy costs. Solar power requires less energy to keep your lights on and devices running.
While upfront costs for solar panel installation might seem high, they’re well worth the investment. Solar panels will pay for themselves with tax incentives and reduced energy costs. Since you won’t have to depend on an energy provider for your power, you’ll start seeing a lower bill right away.
8. Buy Window Shades
While using natural light from the sun can help you save money on your light bill, window shades can also reduce energy consumption and costs. Install blackout curtains to use during the summer.
Keeping your house dark during the day will keep it cooler without needing to lower the temperature on your thermostat. Curtains can also keep your house warm during cold days and nights. They work as an extra layer of insulation.
9. Take Good Care of Your HVAC System
Keeping up with the maintenance of your HVAC system will reduce your home’s energy costs. An HVAC system is responsible for most of your home’s energy use, so keeping it in the best shape is crucial.
Make sure that an experienced technician is checking your system every year. They’ll help you find any issues it might have and correct them before any serious damage occurs.
You should also replace your air filter every three months. A dirty air filter will make your system work harder and consume more energy.
10. Take Care of Electrical Issues Right Away
Electrical issues put your home and family in danger and increase energy costs as well. Flickering lights might indicate an issue with your electric system. A trained electrician can repair the issue to help your electrical system run as efficiently as possible.
Reduce your Home’s Energy Costs With These Tips
If you want to reduce energy costs, you should consider following some of the tips in this guide. Updating your appliances to more energy-efficient models and keeping up to date with your HVAC system’s maintenance will help offset costs.
Check out some of the other home improvement blogs on our website for more helpful tips.
