How to Reduce Your Energy Bills This Winter

Many people dread receiving their energy bills over the winter months, especially in a climate as unpredictable as the UK’s. Huge bills can be accumulated for gas and electricity usage, causing huge problems for households on a tight budget. So, working out ways to reduce energy usage at home can be the difference between an unexpected bill and sticking to your budget.

It’s not all about money though. Energy-saving tips don’t only impact your bank balance; they also impact the environment. Using less energy means having less of an effect on the environment, so how do you go about reducing that carbon footprint?

How to Reduce Your Gas Bill

Many homes are heated by gas and, while it’s not as expensive as electricity, it’s still important to consider how to reduce gas bill costs. As well as ensuring you’re on the most appropriate tariff for your requirements, what else can you do when you’re wondering how to reduce energy bills?

• Use your thermostat effectively. While it might seem like a good idea to only turn the heating on when you need it, that’s not the way to either reduce bills or save energy. If the heating is on low and is boosted up when needed, that means the system has to work harder for that short period. On the other hand, keeping your home at a regular temperature of around 18°C is much more effective, and it’s a good base for boosting temperatures occasionally. Plus, if you can reduce your normal room temperatures by just 1°C, you cut save up to £80 on your gas bill.
• Block Up Draughts. If you’re heating your home only for heat to escape through draughty areas of the house, you’re literally burning money. Checking areas like windows, doors, letterboxes and fireplaces to see if cold air can make its way inside can help you reduce energy usage at home.
• Make the most of natural light. It’s tempting in winter to close the curtains and keep the world outside but making the most of daylight can keep the house warm doing the day. It’ll be more effective than you think, plus we all need extra Vitamin D at this time of year!
• Check your home’s insulation. Again, when you’re thinking about how to reduce energy bills, don’t neglect insulation. It might need an initial financial outlay but insulating your home so that heat is kept inside and cold is kept outside can drastically reduce your energy bills. There are even schemes available for the lower-paid to receive assistance in insulation installations.

How to Reduce Your Electricity Bill

As mentioned above, electricity is a more expensive fuel, so working out how to reduce electricity bills can make a real difference to your pocket. So, what steps can we take?

• Switch devices off at the plug. It might seem like a small thing but switching devices and appliances off at the wall socket when they’re not being used is a good habit to get into. Over time, this will help to reduce your overall electricity bill.
• Switch to energy-saving lightbulbs. We’ve become used to using energy-saving lightbulbs over recent years, but you can go further and opt for LEDs above other lighting options. LEDs use almost 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, so it’s an excellent energy-saving switch for every light fitting in your home.
• Dry clothes naturally. Tumble drying clothes is an expensive activity and it isn’t great for the planet either, so a key way to reduce energy usage at home is to dry clothes naturally – outside if possible. As a bonus, why not try washing your clothes at 30 degrees to save some extra energy during the washing process.
• Install energy-efficient appliances. Inefficient appliances like dishwashers, fridges and washing machines can cost you dearly all year round, but those inefficiencies are accentuated during winter when bills are going to be high anyway. So, replacing inefficient appliances will repay itself over time and you’ll be doing your part for the planet by choosing appliances with high energy efficiency ratings too.

Energy-saving tips like these can help households keep their energy bills low during winter. Along with this, look at longer-term efficiency savings like a new boiler or further insulation installations. Saving money on your energy bills is an ongoing process, so be sure to think about the things you can do all year round to reduce your energy usage and your carbon footprint.