Here are some simple methods you can use to minimize the energy costs for your home.
Here are some simple methods you can use to minimize the energy costs for your home.

Energy prices are going up. And, from all we read and hear, they are not coming down anytime soon!

However, before you start worrying about how you’ll find the funds to cover higher energy bills, you should be aware that there are some simple methods you can use to minimize the energy costs for your home.

1. Don’t Leave Devices on Standby

Leaving devices on standby means they still use up energy. While almost all devices have become increasingly energy efficient, devices on standby still typically consume 0.5 to 1 watt per hour.

How many devices are currently on standby in your home?  The washing machine and dryer? The dishwasher? What about TVs, computers, and game consoles?

By simply remembering to turn off devices at the wall, you could make substantial savings.

Some devices may need to be kept on, such as digital TV recorders, but most can be switched off completely when not in use.

It could be beneficial to get a smart plug or a standby saver that enables you to switch off all of your appliances at once.

Furthermore, by switching off appliances, you can do your bit for the environment.

Here are some other ways to make your home more sustainable.

With a smart thermostat, heating your home becomes more efficient.
With a smart thermostat, heating your home becomes more efficient.

2. Turn Down Your Thermostat or Install a Smart Thermostat

You need to be warm inside your home, but by turning down your thermostat by just one degree, you could significantly minimize your energy costs.

Another option is to install a smart thermostat.

With a smart thermostat, heating your home becomes more efficient. For example, it can heat rooms that you’re using and not heat rooms that you’re not using.

Smart thermostats also know how long it takes to heat your home and they can ensure that each room is at the right temperature at the right time.

Put that all together and it should be clear that smart thermostats can help you to minimize energy usage in your home and enable you to cut down your energy costs.

3. Turn Off the Lights

Similarly, by remembering to turn off the lights in your home when you’re not using them, you can save a considerable amount on your energy costs.

Simply remember to switch off lights every time you leave a room.

Also, by switching to LED bulbs, you could save even more. In fact, LED globes to use as little as 20% of the power that a standard incandescent globe uses to produce the same amount of light.

4. Draught-proof Your Home

If draughts come into your home, you’ll need to use more energy to stay warm. So, you can easily reduce the cost of your energy bills by draught-proofing your home.

You can lose a lot of heat from draughts around your doors, windows, gaps in the floor, and a chimney. 

Therefore, look at each area where draughts could come through and use tape to seal the gaps.

5. Use Appliances Less 

Consider whether you really need to use appliances. For instance, you may not actually need to use a tumble dryer, especially in the summer or if you have a clothesline outside.

You can save further energy and costs by using your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle rather than at a higher temperature. You could even consider reducing your washing machine use and hand washing some clothes instead.

Be wary of how much you use other items too. For example, you could make significant savings by having shorter showers.

6. Use Appliances More Efficiently

You should also look at using appliances more efficiently. For example, rather than using your dishwasher when it’s only half full, make sure it is completely packed before you use it.

Also, kettles are notorious for using lots of energy, so only boil the amount of water you actually need to use rather than filling the kettle to the brim each time.

Placing insulation in your attic or in the walls of your home can make a huge difference to the amount of energy you need to use to heat your home.
Placing insulation in your attic or in the walls of your home can make a huge difference to the amount of energy you need to use to heat your home.

7. Insulate Your Home

There are various ways of insulating your home to help you save energy costs, so make sure you explore the insulation options available.

Simple things like placing insulation in your attic or in the walls of your home can make a huge difference to the amount of energy you need to use to heat your home, especially in the colder months.

8. Be Smarter About Using Water

Heating water uses up a lot of electricity, but there are several ways in which you can reduce your water usage and thereby reduce your energy usage and costs.

For instance, when using your washing machine, do washes at a lower temperature. By simply switching from 40 degrees to 30 degrees, for instance, you can reduce your energy usage.

And if you’re able to cut down your washing cycle by just one wash per week, you can reduce your energy usage and costs even more. So, don’t do washes for the sake of it.

Also, if you leave a tap running while doing the washing up, for example, make sure you don’t. Leaving a hot tap running can use up a lot of energy, so always put the water you need to complete tasks like washing up in a bowl and turn off the tap when you’re not using it. You can then save on your water bills too.

There are other ways you can cut down your use of hot water. For example, switch to showers instead of baths, as showers can use less water.

You can also cut down the amount of time you spend in the shower. By simply reducing your shower time by two minutes each time you take a shower, over time, you will significantly cut down your energy use and save money.

Lastly, you can reduce the amount of heated water you use by being wise about how you use your kettle.

A kettle is one of the most used appliances in the kitchen, but many people boil more water than they actually need each time.

By ensuring you always fill your kettle with only the amount of water you require, you can cut down your energy usage and save on the cost of both your energy and water bills.

9. Shop Around for Cheaper Energy

Making changes in your home isn’t the only way to minimize energy costs. You should also shop around for cheaper electricity or gas.

You won’t know that you’re getting a good deal with your current energy supplier if you don’t spend time comparing other providers.

When you compare electricity and gas prices using an excellent online comparison platform, you’re sure to be able to find a more affordable option. And switching to another provider is easy.

Summing Up

So, there are lots of ways you can minimize energy costs for your home.

To recap, you can:

  • Ensure you don’t leave devices on standby.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Draught-proof your home.
  • Use appliances less.
  • Use appliances more efficiently.
  • Insulate your home.
  • Shop around for cheaper energy.

The post 9 Ways You Can Minimize Energy Costs for Your Home appeared first on The Owner-Builder Network.

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