It's not looking good.
Energy prices are rising at an unprecedented level, cost of living doesn't seem to be coming down. As we live through a global economic crisis, we must make amends to ensure that we are ready to face any challenge.
And this effort starts at home. While we get ready for another winter, every household needs to understand where we could cut costs and keep it going so that there will be no repercussions later.
One of the first things that need immediate attention is our energy bill. As regulators bring in new cost caps, it's not looking good. According to the official regulator, the main cap on consumer energy bills can average around £3,549 ($4,197) from £1,971, which is a staggering increase.
There was an earlier announcement that a relief measure would be introduced. Still, it did not answer the problem at hand. By the looks of it, the 24 million households you and I represent will need to conserve energy better.
With winter approaching, it seems impossible to conserve energy. Still, we've made a list of 7 easy fixes to save on your power bill.
1 Turning down the thermostat
Did you know a single-digit change from 20C to 19C on your thermostat can save 10% of your heating cost? The single-digit difference might be pretty insignificant in your home environment. Still, it is a significant saving on your energy bill.
So next time you see your thermostat on a higher level, see if you can drop a few degrees to save up.
2 Close the curtains
Before you turn on your heater, close your curtains and draw up your blinds. This way, you are helping your heating system to work efficiently, and the warmth does not seep out and will reduce the overall pressure on your heater.
3 Draught-proof windows and doors
Sometimes, the biggest flaw at home that leads to excessive energy costs is waste. Imagine you have tiny spaces between your windows and doors that allow air in. These small spaces might feel insignificant, but when you think around them, it slows the home heating system from reaching its optimum level.
So the easiest fix is to draught-proof them before the cold weather kicks in.
And it is incredibly cheap.
Your supermarket will have draught-proof material, and it is a simple DIY fix for you to stop cold air from getting in. You can get draught-excluding foam tubing for your windows, and consider getting a draught brush for the letterbox.
Even the tiniest space can impact your energy bill, so make sure you do a routine check of the house before the cold weather.
4 Defrost your freezer and refrigerator
Regular defrosting helps you keep the ice under control and regulate energy intake. This helps to manage energy usage within the unit more efficiently so that there is regular use but no overwork.
5 Upgrading your appliances
Kitchen appliances such as your dishwasher, fridge or kettles have become energy efficient. The best models now are at least five times more energy efficient than the ones made ten years ago.
It might be the right time for an upgrade if you are using ageing appliances. For example, refrigerators from the 2010s are highly energy consuming. They might account for a large portion of your energy bill. But a modern refrigerator will have a newer tech to help you save energy better.
6 Choose Energy Efficient Products
One of the biggest concerns anyone would have right now is the efficiency of energy appliances. According to the 2011 Nation Report that investigated energy use in UK households, an average family owned 41 devices.
Fast forward to a decade later, this number would significantly increase. The needs of every member have increased, so power ratings should be a concern. While there are no power ratings for laptops and TVs, white goods such as dishwashers, fridges, and ovens have their rating displayed.
If you have older appliances, make sure to check their rating. The highest possible rating is A+++, and the lowest for certain appliances will be F or G, with a considerable energy-saving difference between them. Devices such as cookers will be rated A+ or higher in many cases. But older appliances are likely to be considerably less energy efficient.
You know what to do if you have ageing appliances with a bad power rating.
7 Don't leave appliances on standby
While it might seem like it has no real impact, keeping appliances on standby can have a hit on your energy bill. At a time when we are looking at every single unit, the dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, and electric oven can all be turned off after use.
While fridges and fridge-freezers cannot be switched off, focus on the ones you could turn off.
8 Saving Energy when you cook
Despite the energy tariff hikes, one thing is certain - you cannot make it affect the quality of food preparation. But there are a few ways you can save energy while maintaining the same food quality.
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Microwave to heat food over an electric hob - a microwave oven is highly energy efficient when it comes to small amounts of food
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Heat water in an electric kettle instead of a stove - boiling water takes extra time and energy. The easiest fix is to boil it using a separate kettle rather than keeping it on the hob.
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Close your pots and pans - food cooks faster, and less energy is spent when this happens.
Time to do our part!
The next few months might be a few of the most challenging months for anyone in the UK. Expect hikes in petroleum and the true impact of the energy hike felt during November and December.
These tips can help you save at least 20-35% on your energy bill, and it should help in a certain way to reduce the cost.
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