When the weather’s good, reducing your energy bills may fall to the bottom of your ‘to do’ list, but we think it’s the perfect time to look at saving money and reducing your energy use.
Here are some ideas for what you can do to keep on top of your bills when the sun is shining:
1. Hunt for draughts and check your insulation
You may only notice draughts when the cold wind whistles through in the winter, but keeping warm air out and cool air in is just as important on a hot, sticky summer day. Insulation works the same way. A well-insulated home keeps the heat out in the summer and inside in the winter, reducing your heating bills as less energy is wasted.
2. Cut down on your appliance usage
Did you know that by drying your clothes outside on the washing line rather than in a tumble dryer, you could also save around £30 a year on your electricity bill? Consider how much more you could save by reducing your appliance usage, and it’s much easier to do in the summer. You could have a salad or a BBQ instead of a slow-cooked casserole, or wash your dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher. Small changes can save you lots of money in the long run.
3. Tweak your Temperatures
Turn down the temperature of your water – you won’t need your showers as warm when it’s hot in the house already! Water heating accounts for 18% of the energy consumed in your home. If you can’t cope with no heating at all, then adjust your heating schedule and temperature so you aren’t wasting money having radiators on when it’s already warm inside.
4. Use LED bulbs
Most people have upgraded to LED bulbs now, in fact, it’s difficult to buy an incandescent bulb anymore! Not only are LED bulbs better for the environment, they last longer and they are more energy-efficient. The lighter evenings of the summer are a great opportunity to check around the house and see if there are any older bulbs hiding around and costing you money! Lighting accounts for around 15% of your electricity bill so using better bulbs and making the most of natural daylight will go a long way to saving you money.
5. Replace your Boiler
The summer is a great opportunity to look at replacing your boiler – firstly because heating engineers tend to be quieter in the warmer months, and secondly because you won’t miss your heating while it’s switched off for the work to be carried out! Not only will you have peace of mind that your heating is not going to fail when winter comes around, but upgrading your boiler can save you around £340 a year on your energy bills… and a new free boiler is an even better way to start the summer!