8 Tips To Help Reduce Your Energy Consumption at Home
We are all becoming increasingly aware of the need reduce our personal impact on the environment and one of the ways we can do this is to reduce our energy consumption. This not only allows us to do our bit for the planet but can reduce our bills too. Especially important now that the energy price cap is set to increase from 1st October this year.
We’ve put together a guide to the steps you can take to use less electricity:
One of the easiest things to do is to stop leaving appliances on standby. TVs, radios and lots of other electrical items can be switched off at the socket when not in use. If in doubt, for example in the case of TV recorders, check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure that switching it off won’t affect the operation of the item.
Take a close look at your energy bills, in particular the tariff comparison rates. You may be able to identify and change to an alternative tariff that would better suit your needs or usage. (We’d advise making decisions based on your annual usage rather than a shorter period of time). You may also have the option to choose a ‘greener’ tariff where the power is provided by renewable resources such as wind or solar power.
Then, turn your attention to the kitchen. Could you reduce the number of times you run your dishwasher each week? Is it always full when you run it? Even 1 less cycle a week can make a difference over time. The same applies to your washing machine. Make sure that it is full before running it, double check clothes to be sure that they really need a wash and make use of any eco-friendly wash programmes that your machine offers when you can – these often use less power and water.
When it comes to replacing your old appliances look out for the highest possible energy rating – these items are designed to get the job done using minimal power. A+++ is the most efficient.
Love a nice cup of tea or coffee? It’s important to only boil the amount of water that you need – you’ll not only be saving electricity but water too! If you are working from home this is particularly relevant as you get your caffeine fix to get you through the day.
Spend some time tracking down draughts in your home and then fill them in to keep the heat in. Drafts are often found around windows and doors, particularly in older buildings. Cracks in floorboards and skirting boards should be dealt with too. Then you won’t lose heat through these areas, or allow the cold air in.
Reducing the temperature on your thermostat can also make a big difference over time. You probably won’t notice a reduction of a degree or two, but this can lead to a significant reduction in your energy use.
Using LED lights is another way to save energy. It is now possible to get LED bulbs that are bright enough to replace older bulbs. Don’t forget to turn off lights when rooms are not in use. Get into the habit of turning off the light when you leave the room. It takes a while but will soon become second nature and can also make a big difference.
Once you’ve made these changes at home why not consider suggesting them to family and friends. If you are back at work, you could even think about what changes could be made in your workplace. We carry out a range of domestic , commercial and industrial electrical work as well as offering LED lighting upgrades. Please get in touch if we can help you reduce your energy consumption.
If we all do our bit, whether at work or at home we can start to make a real difference to the planet and our pockets!