Sometimes I look at my electricity bill and wonder if the energy company has sent me the combined cost of my entire street by mistake. If like me you dread looking at your energy bills, now’s the time to
take action and make your home more efficient.
There are plenty of energy
saving solutions on offer, and by making the most of them, you could benefit
both your purse and planet. To get you started, here are some simple ways to
save money on your utilities.
Replace inefficient boilers
If your boiler’s seen better days, it may be worth getting a
replacement. Bear in mind that, according to energy efficiency specialists the Snug Network, an ageing or inefficient
boiler could be adding an unnecessary £300 a year to your heating costs.
Investing in an A-rated high-efficiency version will cost you upfront, but it
could make you major saving in the long run.
Boost your insulation
Then there’s your insulation to consider. Because heat
rises, it’s especially important that you have effective insulation in your
loft. It’s also worth checking your walls. If you have uninsulated cavity
walls, you could save yourself a tidy sum by improving thermal efficiency in
these areas.
Take a look at you windows as well. By replacing any
single-glazed windows with double-glazed versions, you can trap more warmth in
your rooms. As well as making your home cosier, this has the added benefit of
blocking out more noise from outside.
Do away with draughts
One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy
efficient is to invest in some simple measures to block draughts. Just by
placing draught excluders under your doors and in your letter box, you could
make a noticeable difference to how warm your home feels.
Use efficient appliances
You might also benefit from replacing some of your
appliances. Any electricity-guzzling machines and devices should be swapped for
new, efficient models. If you don’t want the expense of doing this all at once,
focus on the goods you use most first. It’s now possible to purchase anything from
energy saving dishwashers to eco kettles, so you won’t be stuck for options.
Think about your lighting too. You can make significant savings simply by
replacing old-fashioned bulbs with energy efficient lights.
To see how much electricity your household is consuming, you
can invest in special digital displays. These monitors will make you much more
aware of the way you use energy and they could help you to identify areas of
wastage.
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| Is your house like a sauna? Turn the thermostat down! |
Turn your thermostat down
It may be time to turn your thermostat down too. Even by
reducing your heating by just one degree, you may be able to make noticeable
savings. Your hot water may be turned up too high as well. If you’ve ever
scalded yourself under your taps, you should lower your setting.
By paying attention to advice like this, you should succeed
in keeping your household energy bills in check, and you’ll be able to rest
assured that you’re doing your bit for the environment.
Disclaimer: #sp