Want to save money this winter? Making small changes around the home can save your loads of money. We share these IDEAL tips on the small changes that can make a big difference to your bills, and even the value of your home.
The Big Switch Off
It may sound simple, but switching off appliances at the plug is a good starting point to helping to save on your energy bills. Nearly half of the UK population admits to only switching their appliances off when they go on holiday and for 22%, not at all – just think of the difference that could be made by taking a couple of minutes in the day to switch off a plug.
Don’t Overfill
As Brit’s we love nothing more than a good cup of tea but we have a tendency to overfill the kettle each time we make a fresh cup. Boiling the water uses alot of energy so only fill for the number of cups you need and make a saving in the long term.
Invest in an Electricity Usage Monitor
It’s always encouraging to be able to actually see how much money you are saving. An energy monitor is a great investment and a fantastic way to see the savings firsthand.
The device allows you to see how much energy is being used in your home instantly as well as the appliances that are costing the most, meaning you can monitor your energy use more efficiently and in turn save money. You can also link your energy saving monitor to your smartphone so you can even monitor and control your appliances whilst on the go.
Turn 40 in to 30
The weekly wash doesn’t just waste precious free time over the weekend, but can also put quite a dent in your annual energy bills. Turn the temperature to 30 degrees for each wash and where possible use a clothes airier instead of the tumble dryer to dry clothes naturally. Similarly, ladies, why not give your hair a break from the heat and reduce how much you use hair styling appliances.
We are all quick to take up the offer of a phone upgrade but when it comes to upgrading within the home, there can be some hesitation. 25% of the energy you buy to heat your home is being lost through single glazing, or older inefficient double-glazed windows. Now is the time to look at upgrading your windows to modern ‘A’ Rated windows. This will help to reduce the loss of heat through your windows by up to70%, reducing the cost of your heating bills as well as your carbon footprint.
Don’t boil over
It’s the moment all home owners dread, the old boiler breaks unexpectedly mid-month! Be one step ahead and take a look at your boiler now. Boilers account for around 60% of your annual expenditure on energy bills; however, an efficient boiler can make a significant difference to the running costs of your home.
Layer Up
When the weather turns cold we are quick to layer up to keep warm but what about layering up the home? External wall insulation (EWI) is a great way to increase the efficiency of your home as well as giving it a new look. EWI will dramatically reduce the amount of heat that escapes through solid walls making your property up to 10 times better at keeping the heat in.
Keep out the draught
A door is designed to shut out the cold but in some instances this isn’t always the case – with cracks and gaps that biting winter wind always seems to find a way through. A draught excluder is a short term, yet fairly in-practical solution but a double glazed, PVCu door will keep out the draught and retain heat in the long term. It will also add increased security to your home and add a new welcoming look too.
Earn back your tax
Solar panels are a fantastic way to generate energy for the home whilst also reducing costs – they are the ultimate sign of being energy efficient. But did you know that if you fit solar panels to your home you will also receive tax benefits from the government for your efficiency?