Easy Energy-Saving Hacks to Save Money on Bills

With the recent update to the Ofgem energy price cap, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of our energy consumption. While prices may be lower, they’re still high, and every little bit counts when it comes to saving money. Here are some easy energy-saving hacks to help you reduce your bills and stay cool this summer.

Summer Cooling Hacks

As we head into the warmer months, it’s essential to find ways to stay cool without breaking the bank. One cost-effective solution is to use a desktop fan, which costs around 11 pence per hour to run. However, there are other ways to stay cool that don’t involve using energy at all. Traditional handheld fans are a great alternative, and you can even try dunking your feet in a cool bowl of water or putting a damp flannel on the back of your neck to cool down quickly.

Do You Need to Wash That?

As we make the most of air drying in summer to reduce our tumble dryer use, it’s a good time to consider how much we’re washing, too. Limiting our washes and running full loads can make a significant difference. Even reducing from four to three laundry loads a week could save you around £30 during the year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Some items don’t need washing every time you wear them, either. Bras, for example, last a lot longer if you wash them every two or three wears. Jeans are similar.

Reducing your laundry by ten degrees for each wash will quickly save you a lot of pennies on the energy bill.

Reduce the Temperature

Reducing the temperature of your laundry is just the start. You can also save energy by lowering the temperature of your shower and hot water. Do you really need a scalding hot bath? Lowering the temperature of your boiler reduces the amount of energy it uses. In winter, knocking a few degrees off your thermostat can also help keep energy bills low. Stick on an extra jumper, some thick socks, and take a hot water bottle to bed. If you’re still cold, put the heating up – but take on heat-saving measures first.

Lowering the temperature of your boiler reduces the amount of energy it uses.

Minimise Draughts

While we’re talking about reducing the thermostat, one of the fastest ways to keep your home warm in winter (and cooler in summer) is to eliminate draughts. Cracks around windows and doors let cold air in, making you feel chilly. Draught tape is cheap and easy to use, sealing off the spaces around door frames to minimise the chilly spots in your home.

Draught tape is cheap and easy to use, sealing off the spaces around door frames to minimise the chilly spots in your home.

Try a Smart Meter

One of the easiest ways to track your energy usage is with a smart meter. Putting the display where you can see it gives you greater visibility of your energy usage, meaning you can adjust your habits accordingly, which could help you save money in the long run. If you don’t have one installed yet, remember you can request one at no extra cost from your energy supplier.

Putting the display where you can see it gives you greater visibility of your energy usage, meaning you can adjust your habits accordingly.

Go Off-Peak

While it’s not possible to operate solely on off-peak tariffs, they can save you a lot of money every month if you’re savvy about it. If you have a water tank that needs heating for hot water, set it to heat during off-peak hours (usually between 12 midnight and 6am).

Heating off-peak at an average rate of 12pence per kWh would cost 36 pence, saving you 37.5 pence a day, or £11 a month.

Make the Most of Battery Power

Another off-peak bonus is if you charge your appliances during the night, too. Use a timer switch on the wall plug to set the hours it should operate, and you’ll save a lot of cash over the course of each month.

Charge your laptop, tablet, Roomba, phone… any rechargeable device. It’s also handy to charge a powerpack or two sometimes, to make the most of the extra battery power during the day.

By implementing these easy energy-saving hacks, you can save money on your bills and reduce your energy consumption. Remember, every little bit counts, and making small changes to your daily habits can add up to make a big difference over time.