5 Ways to Save on Your Energy Bills This Winter
Winter is still in full swing and the temperatures are going to stay cold for quite some time. As a result, it’s never a bad idea to look for money-saving tips such as how you reduce your energy bills despite the weather. In this post, we’re going to take a look at five great ways to cut down
Invest in a smart thermostat or get used to the settings
One of the best ways to save money in winter is to get used to the settings on your thermostat or to purchase a smart thermostat. The idea behind this is to ensure that your house temperature is always at a comfortable level; never too hot or too cold. The thermostat should be placed in a fairly central location that is reasonably far from any sources of heat or cold.
This is because you want your thermostat to read the average temperature in your home so that it can adjust your heating to a comfortable level. If you place it near a window, it’s going to think that your home is cold whenever there’s a breeze, resulting in your heating turning itself up higher. Similarly, placing your thermostat near the kitchen or a heating element will record higher temperatures than usual, resulting in the heating turning itself down. A smart thermostat can go a step further by linking with a companion app that you can use to change the temperature or turn your heating on or off without you needing to be at home.
Use energy efficient settings on your appliances
Plenty of appliances have energy-efficient settings such as your washing machine, dryer and maybe even your stove if it’s an electric one. You can also invest in energy-efficient appliances that are known to consume less electricity for basic tasks. These will typically have an energy rating on them and you should look for appliances that are graded around an A or above.
Investing in energy efficient appliances can often save you a lot of money on your annual bills, especially if they’re appliances that are used often during the winter months such as a heater. It takes quite an investment because energy efficient appliances can be expensive, but it’s well worth your money if you plan to live in your current home for a long time or have been looking to replace your appliances for a while.
Did you know the big 6 energy suppliers in the UK are part of the ECO 3 initiative. This initiative was set up by the government to help households across the UK, living in fuel poverty, obtain access to a central heating grant. The installation of A-rated boilers in your home is a great way to save money on your winter heating bills.
Related: How to save money on your gas and electric bills this winter at Lending Expert.co.uk
Replace existing light bulbs with energy-efficient ones
Another great way to save money on a long-term basis is to replace light bulbs you own with energy-efficient varieties. These are often LED bulbs that don’t need to be replaced as often as standard light bulbs and they’re also brighter and offer more colour options. Replacing every single bulb in your home might be quite expensive, so replace lights that you used on a regular basis or leave on for long periods of time such as your living room light.
If you want to go a step further, you can invest in smart lights which connect to your home’s internet connection. These bulbs can be turned on or off remotely and can even be set to turn on or off at certain times. This is great for situations like accidentally leaving the lights in your home on or turning on the lights as you come home so you don’t need to fumble for the light switch.
Related: Should you buy LED light bulbs?
Consider switching your energy supplier
If you haven’t changed your energy supplier for a long time then there’s a chance that you’re actually paying more than you could be for your electricity. Take a look at your bills to see how much you’re paying then speak to other energy suppliers to see if they could offer you a better deal.
It’s a good idea to search around for different offers because there will likely be a company out there that is willing to offer you lower energy costs than what you’re paying now. This will take a bit of research but it’s well worth the effort.
Related: Steps to follow when switching energy providers with feed-in tariffs
Rearrange your furniture for better energy savings
You could also consider rearranging your furniture for better heat distribution around your home. This includes moving chairs and sofas away from the radiators, making sure that there are no drafts coming from your doors or windows and also removing anything you’ve placed on your heating elements such as towels and clothes.
Rearranging your furniture might not be possible because it’s heavy or there’s no good way to free the space around your heating elements, but it’s worth a try because it creates a noticeable difference in the heat distribution in your room and thus helps you save money.
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