As fuel bills rise, you may be looking for tips on how to save money when it comes to your energy use. Your annual energy bills can be reduced in many ways, from installing a water meter, to cutting down on central heating and washing machine use.
In this blog, we’ll reveal our top energy saving tips, so you can get the most out of your home, reduce your carbon emissions, and spend less energy (and money!).
Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss installations that can reduce your energy bills while contributing to a more sustainable environment.
What Is Energy Efficiency?
Energy efficiency is the process of using less energy to achieve the same level of output, such as using LED bulbs instead of halogen, installing solar panels instead of relying on traditional fossil fuels, and properly insulating your home to reduce heat loss.
A good place to start is identifying areas where you can save energy to reduce your energy bills. Simple changes to your daily habits can make a big difference in your energy consumption, and implementing our energy saving tips can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
The UK government and the Energy Saving Trust provide guidance on energy efficiency and saving energy to help you achieve maximum energy efficiency.
Understanding Your Energy Bills
It’s good practice to periodically review your bills (including heating bill and electricity bill) to understand where you can make changes to save energy and reduce your outgoings.
You should also check your energy tariff to ensure it’s the best for you and consider switching to a renewable energy tariff. You could save up to £600 on your energy bills by making small changes to your energy usage.
HTS Electrical can help domestic clients with new energy-efficient installations such as LED lighting and smart thermostats.
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How Heating Systems Impact Your Energy Bills
Heating systems impact your energy bills heavily, leaving your water hot, but your bank account cold.
The energy needed to keep an average home warm is often at a high cost, so here are some top tips for reducing your heating bills:
- Adjust your combi boiler flow temperature to 60°C or below to save energy and reduce your heating bill.
- Consider installing a new heating system or boiler, or upgrading your existing one to improve energy efficiency.
- Use heating controls to regulate your heating and hot water usage, and turn off heating in unused rooms and empty rooms.
- Keep your heating system well-maintained, as this can help reduce heat loss and save energy, so you can stay warm while your energy bills reduce.
- Regularly check your hot water cylinder and consider installing a British Standard Jacket to save energy.
- Air dry clothes with racks inside instead of using radiators or a tumble dryer.
Start Off Easy: Energy-Efficient Practices
While HTS Electrical can help you with many domestic and commercial electrical installations, essential maintenance for electrical appliances, and an energy performance certificate, it’s up to you to start your efficiency journey.
Implement energy-efficient practices such as turning off lights and putting electrical appliances in standby mode when not in use.
You may also consider using a smart meter to track your energy usage and identify areas for improvement. Simple actions like closing curtains and using draught proofing can make a big difference in reducing heat loss.
Ramp Up Savings: Lighting and Appliances
Lighting is one of the main ways people waste electricity, and turning off lights or replacing traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs could save you a significant amount of money, and cut down on wasted usage of energy in your home.
Check the energy efficiency rating of items like your washing machine and fridge freezer regularly, and consider upgrading to reduce your energy consumption.
Expert Tips: Draught Proofing and Insulation
While it may not seem like much, trapped air in your house can make it warmer, reducing heating bills. Professional draught proofing can save you money on your energy bills by reducing heat loss.
Consider installing insulation in your loft space and cavity walls to reduce heat loss, and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards. Insulation isn’t just for empty spaces, you can also save money on heating bills by insulating your hot water cylinder or hot water tank.
Room-by-Room Savings: Kitchen and Laundry
Dishwasher use and washing machine use are big users of energy in your home, and these heavy-hitters can be utilised more efficiently.
Run full loads in your washing machine and use eco-mode, and consider using a washing line or rack to dry your clothes instead of a tumble dryer. You can also save by reducing your dishwasher use by one run per week.
Bathroom and Shower: Save Energy In Your Home
Personal hygiene is important—but so is saving energy! By reducing your shower time and taking just one bath less per week, a typical household can save energy and reduce their energy bills.
It’s not just shortening your shower time that can make a difference, using a low-flow showerhead helps too.
Smart Meters and Tracking: The Next Step
Smart meters are able to track wasteful energy use, and are a good way to identify areas for improvement in your home. Smart meters can help you save energy and reduce your energy bills by providing you with accurate and up-to-date information.
Smart meters can be used for gas, electricity, and water, and often come with a helpful phone app to keep you up to date with the latest energy use in your home.
Do You Know About Peak Energy Usage?
Peak energy usage times vary, but usually occur in the UK in the morning between 7am and 9am, and again in the afternoon between 4pm and 7pm.
Peak energy usage can be reduced by making small changes to your daily habits and using energy-efficient appliances, and you can save money per year by reducing your peak energy usage, and using energy-efficient appliances (which also reduce your carbon footprint).
Energy-Efficient Home Improvements
The physical aspects of home can also be improved to make them more energy efficient. Consider making energy-efficient home improvements such as installing insulation or double glazing.
These energy-efficient home improvements can also increase the value of your property!
Take The Final Step With HTS Electrical
HTS Electrical can help you to take the final step in your energy efficiency journey by installing LED lighting and smart meters in your home, which, along with implementing our energy saving tips and making small changes to your daily habits, can save energy and reduce your energy bills.
Get in touch with our friendly team today, and let’s work together to help you save energy!
Energy Saving Tips: FAQs
What wastes the most energy in a house?
At HTS Electrical, we often find that heating is the biggest energy drain in most UK homes. Whether it’s central heating or electric heaters, heating typically account for over half of your energy bills. Get in touch with us to find out how you can stop energy waste in its tracks.
Does unplugging appliances save electricity in the UK?
Some appliances continue to draw power even when they’re turned off, such as TVs, games consoles, chargers, and anything with a standby mode. Unplugging or switching off items at the socket when not in use, especially if you’re going away or don’t use them daily, can help you save energy and could save you money.
How much does turning heating down by 1 degree save?
Turning your heating down by just one degree can cut your heating bill by up to 10%, depending on your home and usage habits. That’s a significant saving for a small change. At HTS Electrical, we can install smart heating controls in your home to help you save energy.