There is no doubt that energy bills can be amongst your biggest household expenses; fortunately, it is easier than you might think to cut your usage.
1. Get smart with your thermostat
Small changes can often have quite dramatic effects; for example, lowering your thermostat by a mere 1°C can save around £75 per year, and you probably won’t even notice the temperature difference. Homes without a thermostat will benefit massively from having one installed, potentially saving another £60.
2. Insulate your home
Insulation cuts energy usage by reducing heat loss during winter, which in turn means that you need the central heating less. This can make a big difference. Simply insulating your loft and cavity walls can save up to £270 per year, but you can go even further with solid wall insulation and double glazing. Just increasing pre-existing insulation from 120mm to 270mm could save an extra £10.
3. Get to know your meter
An electric meter box from a provider such as https://www.meterbox.co.uk/electric-meter-boxes may seem alien to many; however, if you want to save energy, you will need to get to know it better. By keeping an eye on your electric meter box, you will get a better understanding of when you are using the most energy and which appliances are the likely culprits. Better still, by checking your meter regularly and sending readings to your energy provider, you might find that you have been overpaying and get a reduced bill.
4. Use energy-efficient appliances
While understanding the energy consumption of your appliances can seem daunting at first, it is relatively simple. All appliances come with EU energy labels that show their efficiency and make it easy to work out which are the biggest consumers. Replacing older, energy-guzzling appliances with new, efficient ones can save you up to £124 annually.
5. Install a new boiler
Fitting a new boiler is a big job, but it is certainly worthwhile. As heating accounts for more than 50 per cent of a home’s energy use, it makes sense that a more efficient boiler will have a dramatic effect. Making the leap from an older G-rated boiler to a more modern A-rated condensing boiler can save you up to £315 per year; adding heating controls will save you even more. Boiler installation is one of the biggest investments you can make, but it will eventually pay for itself.