All The Energy Saving Tips to save you Money

Energy prices are out of control. Back in September 2021, not that long ago, the average monthly bill was £106. This is JUST ABOUT to go up to £175 from 1st October. The new ‘GIFT’ from the government is a price cap that is £69 (I appreciate the irony of the number 69 here) higher than one year ago.

Listen to my latest COST-OF-LIVING PODCAST with Faith Archer where we talk ENERGY. Packed with tons of savings

Remember this is just the average price cap, for a typical three-bedroom house. If you live in a bigger house, with poor insulation and a lot of people this will be higher. I spoke to my hairdresser recently, four people in a three-bedroom house, £250 bills via British Gas. I live in a four-bed house with three people most of the time, my bills are £175 (but fixed only until Feb 2023).

I talk ALOT about energy on TV and radio. Check out this very brilliant TV show from Channel 5 on 30 tips to save money on your bills.

Here are ALL the ways I know how save energy. Tips that will reduce your usage and save you lots of money.

Be Mindful of Your Energy Usage

This takes some intention and a change to habits for the whole family, but making these changes will save you ££s every month. Some of the changes are simple, and you just need to get into the habit of doing them.

• Turn the thermostat down by 1 degree. If 22 degrees is your preferred temperature, reduce it to 21 degrees. Put it down to 19 degrees and wear a jumper. Just a one degree reduction is a huge saving.
• Switch to low energy light bulbs.
• Use the tumble dryer less and invest in a clothes dryer rail, each tumble dryer cycle was costing me £1.12 before I got rid.
• Use the slow cooker for food rather than oven or induction hob. It costs pennies to make food and smells delicious.
• Let your hair dry naturally, hair dryer are greedy with energy.
• Boil your kettle only with water for one cup, or for the number you are making.
• Switch off all appliances on standby, apart from your fridge.
• Shower for four minutes only, use a shower timer.
• Switch on your hot water only when you need it, not all of the time.
• Switch off lights in rooms not being used, nag your children to do the same.
• Unplug phones, tablets once fully charged.
• Switch radiators off in the rooms that you don’t use. Keep doors shut.
• Pull curtains shut to help insulate a room.
• Use draft excluders, a pair of tights stuffed with odd socks will suffice (add buttons for eyes to make a snake)
• Ensure your loft is insulated.
• Use blankets, layers, woolly socks and hot water bottles to keep you warm.

And here are some of tips with savings applied, data courtesy of Energy Savings Trust (sadly back in 2019, so these savings are likely to be 2-3 times higher now)

• You can save £30 per year by switching off appliances at the wall. Standby mode costs you money!
• Get everyone in the house to spend 1 minute less in the shower saving you energy. If you have a water meter it will save you water costs as well. This will save £80 for a 4-person family.
• Use a washing up bowl rather than using a running tap and save £25 per year.
• Turning down your thermostat by just one degree will save you £80 per year.
• Only fill your kettle with the amount of water you need and save yourself £7 per year.

If you do all 5 things, which are not that difficult, you will save yourself £222 per year. Not bad at all!!