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Guidance
15 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bills
- From: James Parker
- Published 12 December 2024
With the cost of living crisis affecting the nation, we all must learn how to stretch our money.
Even with the energy price cap, power costs have grown to exorbitant levels, making your energy bill a critical area where minor changes can save money.
We’ve prepared 15 energy saving tips UK to maximise boiler use, prevent heat loss, keep your home warmer, and save electricity.
To address the major concern of high energy bills, the UK government has specifically designed the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme. The main purpose of this scheme is to provide free energy-efficient heating grants to low-income households in the UK to reduce heating costs.
Heating bills, especially in winter, are sometimes a substantial household expense.
Luckily, the UK government’s ECO4 grants save households with high heating expenditures. Accessing these free heating grants can help you cut costs and make your home more energy-efficient.
Moreover, this blog will guide you about the ways to lower heating bills.
Explore Specific Energy Saving Tips UK
1. Set Your Thermostat One Degree
Making small changes to your central heating system can save you up to £100 a year on your heating bills. If everyone turned their boilers down by one degree from the current average of 20⁰C, the UK could save about £ 17 million.
Making this small change can have a big effect. Higher temperatures are one of the main causes of higher energy bills and carbon emissions.
For tips on how to set up your boiler to save money on energy costs.
2. Programme Your Boiler to Maximise Comfort
Some people, especially in chilly weather, are tempted to turn up the heat when they come home from work. Although it’s not the ideal boiler use, we’ve all done it.
Use the boiler’s settings to maintain the right temperature. With a smart thermostat like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, you can adjust your heat remotely. Room thermostat features are included. Have you forgotten to turn off the heat on your way to work? Touching a smart thermostat on your phone turns it off instantly.
3. Have a Smart Meter Installed
Smart technology is transforming home care. Locks, cameras, lighting controls, and smart thermostats are included. Smart gas and electric metres are also smart technology. Modern homes benefit from them because they allow owners to track their energy use and make changes to save money and the environment.
4. Install Thermostatic Radiator Valves to Regulate Room Temperatures
You can adjust radiator temperatures and maintain room temperatures with thermostatic radiator valves. This conserves energy by heating only what you use.
Thermostatic radiator valves and boiler timers can save £75 a year.
5. Keep the Boiler On
Lowering your combi boiler’s flow temperature saves energy without turning down the thermostat.
To avoid frozen lines, which may cost hundreds of pounds, the Energy Saving Trust recommends leaving the heat on even when you’re away in winter. Instead of turning off your boiler, keep it at least 10 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing.
6. Choose an Efficient Boiler and Heating System for Your Home
Choosing a boiler depends on your home’s size and people. Most UK households have combi boilers. If you have a larger home and need more hot water, a regular boiler with a tank may be better.
Are you wondering how to inspect your boiler? We’ll advise on the appropriate type for your home and energy saving tips UK.
Get Free Boiler Replacement Grant!
If you or any of your household is on benefits, you may be eligible for Free Boiler.
7. Use Insulation to Avoid Heat Waste
Increasing your energy use to compensate for heat loss could cost you a lot of money every year.
To keep from losing money and energy, you should make sure your home is fully insulated before the winter months start. Here are some things you could do to do this:
- Cavity wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Double-glazing units in windows and doors
Additionally, you might want to buy draught excluders to fill in any gaps between floors and doors. This will keep warm and cold air from leaving and entering places.
A hot water tank jacket might also be a good idea to keep the heat in. These things are made to keep your heating system warm, which means they use less energy when you need hot water. Hot water cylinder jackets are a simple way to keep heat inside your boiler system. They only work with normal boilers, cost about £20, and are easy to install yourself.
8. Swap Your Light Bulbs
It doesn’t take long for energy-saving light bulbs to stop emitting light. Now, they come with bright UV lights that work well in any room.
Smart light bulbs are even available. Some types, like the Philips Hue, let you turn off your lights from your phone, and some let you choose how bright they are. In addition to saving energy, they’re great for setting the mood.
Although smart light bulbs that use less energy will cost more than regular ones, the move could save you around £30 a year, so it might be a good idea to buy them. Furthermore, you’ll decrease your carbon footprint, which is an added benefit.
9. Stop Using Standby
Home appliances that aren’t being used will surprise you with how much power they use. Many current electronics, such as TVs, game consoles, and phone and laptop chargers, are designed not to be turned off.
The biggest problem here is technology. When you’re not using something, there’s no reason to leave it on, including a game system.
Electronic gadgets left on standby overnight cost the average family an amazing £147 a year to power. To save a lot of money, check all the plugs in your house to make sure they are off.
10. Avoid Using the Tumble Dryer
Sometimes you must use your spin dryer, but if you can avoid it, you will save electricity. The regulation requires new boilers to be A-rated, or over 90% efficient. Most dryers get a C for energy efficiency.
As it becomes colder, tumble dryers help dry freshly washed clothes rapidly. Try hanging or using clothes horses instead.
Lowering your washing machine temperature can also reduce your power bill.
11. Make Sure Your Dishwasher is Full
Another super-useful appliance is the dishwasher, but they do use a lot of energy, particularly if you’re running yours at only half-full. To get the best value for money from your dishwasher, you should:
- Wash on a cooler cycle
- Make use of any energy-saving modes
- Fill it – stacking pots and dishes neatly will help to maximise space
- Skip the rinse—scrape food off your plates and dishes instead of rinsing them in the sink to reduce your energy bill. Modern dishwashers are designed to target little bits of food.
12. Reduce the Amount of Water You Use
Cutting back on water use will also help you save money on your heating bill.
You can use less water by not filling your pot too full, showering instead of bathing, and remembering to turn off the tap while you brush your teeth.
Water and heating your home are usually the most expensive parts of your energy bill. Since you’ll be trying to use less water, you’ll also save money on your energy costs.
13. Swap the Oven for An Air Fryer
A regular electric cooker is thought to cost 87p per day to run, while an air fryer only costs 12p per day. You can also get cheaper options for regular ovens with things like slow cookers (16p) and microwaves (14p).
One of the best things about air fryers is that they are smaller, so it takes them less time to heat up and cook food. Air fryers cost between £50 and £100, but they are more than seven times cheaper to run every day than an oven, so the price is worth it.
14. Switch Energy Provider
The energy market and energy providers are more competitive than ever because our bills have gone up so much. As a result, now is a great time to look for a new energy company if your current one is ending soon.
Comparing sites like u-Switch will help you find the best deals based on your current and possible energy rates. This will allow you to see which company is cheaper.
It might take some time to look for the best deals, but it’s worth it, so don’t be afraid to shop around.
15. Alternative Energy Sources
One of the best ways to lower your energy bills is to generate your own, e.g. by having solar panels installed on your roof. Although buying and installation of solar panels can be expensive, you may be able to receive Government grants available to cover the costs.
One of the best things about sustainable energy options is that you won’t have to use less energy. You’ll just be generating it from another source – reducing your power costs by using the sun’s energy as opposed to the National Grid’s.
The Bottom Line
Hence, by following the above energy saving tips UK, households can lower their expenditures and save a lot. You may start saving immediately by understanding your bills, budgeting, and following these smart guidelines. Every little bit helps with your money. UK households who are battling with increased energy prices can benefit from the ECO4 scheme. It reduces heating expenditures efficiently, economically, and sustainably. With ECO4 subsidies, you can save money and enjoy a warmer, more comfortable home free of cost. You can improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money with ECO4 free heating grants. This involves saving money and promoting sustainability, which we can all support.
Take advantage of the ECO4 scheme and join the tens of thousands of British households that have benefited.
