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As the cost of living goes up, you want to find ways to bring it back down again. As one of the biggest household expenses, your electricity bill is a cost to focus on. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your electricity output, helping to reduce your bills and save you money.
Choose the right power company
While there are numerous small changes you can make around the house, if you want to save money on electricity, you have to choose the right provider. If you choose a power company like Powershop, you can easily track your power usage week-to-week, so you can work out where you can cut down. You will also receive monthly deals so you can save even more money.
Think before you switch on
It’s easy to overuse electricity at home simply by not paying attention. Instead of turning on the lights, use natural light if it’s available. Instead of using the dryer, hang your clothes out to dry. Before you switch on your heater or air conditioning unit, think about whether it’s actually necessary. Perhaps you could open the windows or put on extra layers.
When you are using heating or air conditioning, be sure to keep heating and cooling units well serviced. Check for drafts around windows and doors, and insulate your house against the elements. Open all your vents to allow air to circulate better, and turn down the heat during the day, but not all the way off.
And remember to switch off
If there is no reason for a light to be on, be sure to switch it off. It’s also a good idea to think about which electrical items you leave on standby. Up to 10% of the electricity used in your home is used by appliances on standby, so switch them off at the wall when you’re not using them. Always unplug chargers as well – they keep sucking power even when they’re not in use.
When you’re washing…
When you’re doing the laundry, choose the cold setting on your washing machine. Not only does this save electricity, it also helps to keep your colourful clothes colourful. If you’re using a dryer, try not to overload the machine – it will just take longer to dry.
When buying a new washer and dryer, choose a front-loading washing machine (it uses 60% less water and power than a top-loading machine), and a sensor dryer that turns off automatically when the load is dry.
As for washing dishes, again turn down the heat to save on power. Hot water is important to sanitise the dishes, but you don’t need lava-like temperatures to do that job. Turn down the heat on your dishwasher to save.
Go solar
If you own your own home and you have a bit of money stashed away, think about getting solar panels fitted to your roof. This is a great way to cut down on your power bills, plus you may also be eligible for some government benefits or tax deductions.
Use a microwave
When you cook with a microwave, you use 30% less energy than you would cooking with a traditional oven. In summer months this can also help to keep cooling costs down, as microwaves generate less heat.
Choose energy efficient products
We’re not telling you to run out and replace all your appliances, however when it comes time to replace an appliance, make sure it’s energy efficient. Many appliances now come with an energy rating, which tells you how energy efficient they are.
While they may cost a little more upfront, they should save you a significant amount on your electricity bill. The same applies for energy-saving light globes.
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