With the cost of living going up, many of us are feeling the financial squeeze, particularly when it comes to electricity and heating costs. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy bills when winter draws in, read on.
From simple switches to investing in passive house insulation, here are 5 effective ways to keep your energy costs as low as possible.
How to keep your energy bills down in winter
1. Switch appliances off at the plug
Sometimes, small actions can make a real difference. Something as simple as turning appliances off at the plug when not in use can save you money. Rather than leaving your TV on standby or just turning it off with the remote, flick the switch at the wall. This quick tip won’t disturb any of your settings but could save you around £35 to £55 per year. Every penny helps!
2. Block draughts
Draughty gaps may mean that heat from your radiators is escaping under your doors and through your windows, leaving you without the benefit but with the pricey bill. The act of blocking any gaps with a draught excluder could save you up to £25 per year.
If you live in an old building or have noticed lots of draughts, you might want to take some extra steps. Why not install adhesive draught-proofing strips around your doors and windows. You can also block your fireplace and cap your chimney if you don’t use your fire very often.
3. Improve your home’s insulation
Draught-proofing can bring your energy bills down a bit, but if you really want to save some money, consider investing in some effective insulation.
If you have a loft or attic and cavity walls, you could be losing a lot of precious heat through them. There are several types of insulation you can install, and doing so could save you between £100 and £300 a year — it all adds up!
Some of the best-insulated homes are passive houses — and you might want to adopt some passive house characteristics. Passive houses are carefully constructed to meet certain standards and provide unbeatable insulation. They also capture and use solar energy to eliminate the need for another form of heating. As such, you can save a vast amount of money by investing in passive house standard insulation.
If you’re currently planning or building a brand new home, fitting solar panels during your roof installation could greatly improve your property’s efficiency. For more information on passive house options in the UK, speak to your local eco-friendly home builders.
4. Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when full
Washing machines and dishwashers use a large quantity of water with every cycle. Combined with the energy needed to heat that water up, these appliances can lead to high energy bills. Making sure they’re full before use will reduce the number of cycles you need to set.
5. Optimise your lighting
Another simple switch that could save you money is to swap your regular lightbulbs for energy-efficient ones. Try LED spotlights instead of your standard options. They’re available in a variety of styles and colours so you can still enjoy a cosy, ambient glow.
And don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave a room!
Eco-friendly builders in Cambridge
Whether you make small switches or invest in full insulation, every step can improve your home’s energy efficiency, reducing both your carbon footprint and your bills.
At DJ Reynolds, we’re passionate about providing sustainable building solutions. If you’d like to learn more about passive house insulation and eco-friendly renovations, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.