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Money

5 Tips to Save on Electric Bills This Summer

Jayne2 Comments

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Summer is on our doorstep, but we are likely to spend it indoors this year. Due to the current lockdown, we might not be able to make the most out of local parks and beaches for a while. If you are confined at home, there are tips you can count on to see your money go further, without having to change up your lifestyle too much. Best of all, the tips below can help you enjoy your time indoors a little more!

Leverage natural light

As summer approaches, we can start to enjoy longer days, more hours of sunlight, and later sunsets. With all this natural light, it would be a pity to switch lights on during the day. And, ultimately, this might cost you quite a lot more than just letting the sunlight come through the windows.

However, for the best results, you might need to reevaluate your window coverings and curtains. Heavy drapes might prevent your windows from working at their best. Instead, for the summer, opt to switch to a lighter option. This alternative allows the light and fresh air to change the atmosphere of your rooms.

Switch to a better lighting system

Even if you are trying to limit the usage of lights, we rely on them for most of the day. However, some tricks can help you reduce your energy bills. Start by switching to a more sustainable lighting scheme and low consumption light bulbs.

It could be that you need to update your lighting system completely. If this is the case, once you have found the perfect lighting system for your needs, you will want to get in touch with a professional electrician in your area, who will be able to quickly and safely install your system into your home, which should hopefully save you money for years to come.

Moreover, if you often end up working late, invest in task lighting, which allows you to switch off the primary source of light and stay focused with just a small lightbulb. Additionally, it might be worth considering swapping to LED lights which are much more efficient than your standard bulb.

Use air conditioning mindfully.

As summer approaches, temperatures also start to rise. If your outdoor space is limited and your windows don’t seem to allow enough fresh air in, you are probably thinking to invest in a proper air conditioning system. While this is an excellent idea, you should Compare Energy Prices and implement other forms of air-cooling appliances, such as fans. 

Live more sustainably

Deciding to live more sustainably this summer has excellent benefits, among which the opportunity to save a little more on electricity. Some tips to reduce your footprint include:

  • Taking shorter showers
  • Turn off unnecessary lights
  • Unplug electronics that are not in use
  • Let your dishes air-dry
  • Use lower temperatures settings on your appliances
  • Buy fresh food that won’t need much refrigeration or cooking

Make the most out of your garden

Staying indoors for such a long period might have forced you to find new ways of entertaining yourself and your little ones. However, having the TV on all day long or charging your phone multiple times can end up being costly. Instead, if you have a garden or small terrace, opt to make the most out of it. Dinners al fresco and sunbathing afternoons can be an excellent way to turn off the lights in your home for a few times and forget about the TV!

Money

Pressure off your purse strings: 8 ways to save annually on your energy bills

Jayne1 Comment

save money on energy billsLooking for ways to trim the fat on your energy bills so you can save yourself a chunk of dosh? Here are eight ideas to cut your annual energy costs by up to £185, so you can live just that little bit extra.

Play the field

No, not dating – but scouting out a cracking deal to take the pressure off your purse strings.

Despite the totally exotic ‘summer’ this year (the amount of rain that fell in July this year should have been illegal), you should still be checking out all the comparison sites out there. With the sheer amount of help out there, never has there been a better time to surf the net and strike the best deal for Houston electricity. By the way, since you are here reading about how to save your money on electricity bills, you may as well consider installing solar energy panels on your roof.

That has proven to be an excellent way to save money on the long term. Nowadays, there are even courses on how to build your own home energy system and save even more money on installation

Embrace the savvy smart meter

The smart meter – dubbed the next generation of energy meter – is a replacement of existing measures that automatically sends energy readings to your energy supplier and gives you real-time feedback on your energy usage and what it is costing.

A government-backed scheme to introduce the eco friendly tool into 50 million buildings across the nation by 2020 is currently being rolled out. With the ability to accurately measure energy usage, the average household will save between £20 and £30 a year by using the eco-friendly tool; meaning no surprise bills (and less budget headaches).

Add a new layer

Ever wondered how much warm air is escaping your home? Whether through gaps between internal and external walls or through your roof, it can be causing a huge amount of wastage. You can save more than £100 per year by filling such gaps and rafters with mineral wool or foam.

Don’t leave appliances on standby

The age-old slice of wisdom has been bounced around time and time again. But it is true. You can save around £30 a year by remembering to take your sea of appliances out of standby mode. Be careful, though: a number of satellite and digital TV recorders often need to be left plugged in when taping your favourite programmes (we don’t want you to miss your double dose of Corrie).

Banish draughts

Old houses tend to lose a lot of heat through draughts around windows, doors, chimneys and floors. So keep the heat in by draught-proofing your home, block cracks in your floors and skirting boards and buy draught excluders to sit snug against doors, saving yourself up to £35 a year.

Get onboard with energy efficient appliances

You may have heard of energy efficient lightbulbs, but what about an energy efficient kettle? Or tumble dryer? There is quite a range of products now available with an A+++ rating, using less energy than standard models, in a manner of different ways.

Switch to direct debits

Save yourself up to £90 a year on your energy bill. How? Switch to fixed monthly direct debit payments. According to moneysavingexpert.com, it’s usually 6% cheaper than any other way of paying. Paying a fixed estimate each month not only makes it easier to budget, it spreads the cost out throughout the year (goodbye hideous winter bill).

Treat yourself to a new boiler

A brand spanking new boiler, replacing an old G-rated gas boiler and built to be energy efficient, can save you an astonishing £340 a year. It isn’t a cheap investment by any means (a new condensing model with a programmer can cost up to £2,500) but in the long run, it can save you a fortune.