For many people, the onset of chillier weather conditions and darker evenings means spending more time at home and less time out and about. While this can reduce what you spend in some ways, in others – such as energy usage – it’s likely to see your outgoings rise.
To help combat this, many people are turning to home electrification – from smart thermostats to electric heaters – in order to help reduce their energy bills and make their homes more comfortable. If this is a change even if you are looking forward to make in your home, then you may be interested to Learn the true cost of electrification before signing up for it.
Be sure to research the installation and running costs as well as any energy-saving incentives or rebates while weighing your options. Also, consider if the money saved in energy bills will outweigh the cost of purchasing and installing the system. If you already have the latest system, then consider signing up for a winter energy savings budget plan, or schedule some maintenance work right before the winter gets really bad. Lastly, don’t forget to factor in the environmental costs and the carbon footprint that may be reduced with this simple change.
With that being said, here are a few ways to potentially reduce your wastage and keep bills down, which might help you to avoid having to reach
Wear an extra layer
It might seem like common sense but if you’re the kind of person that cranks the thermostat up a couple of degrees to make the temperature more comfortable when you’re wearing little more than a T-shirt, it’s time to change. Simply putting on a jumper can make you feel cosier and on really cold evenings why not dig out a blanket and your duvet to feel extra snug while relaxing on the sofa?
Shop around for a better deal
If you’re not happy with your energy supplier it’s worth having a look to see if a better deal is on offer elsewhere. Just as you’d not think twice about making a credit card comparison, you shouldn’t feel any loyalty to energy firms either.
Insulate your property
If your property feels draughty or you find yourself having to leave the central heating on at a high temperature just to stay comfortable it’s worth looking at improving your home’s insulation. This can be dealt with in various ways, from purchasing double glazing to installing wall and loft insulation. Remember that heat rises, so heat escaping from a poorly insulated roof will mean money down the drain later. If it’s a cost effective solution you’re after why not try draught proofing? The Energy Saving Trust points out the UK is missing out on 180 million of savings annually by not using the best draught proofing.
Not in use? Unplug it!
With the sheer range of electronics now found in the average home it can be easy to forget exactly what’s draining energy at any given moment. Remember that phone chargers left plugged in after the battery reaches 100 per cent are serving no purpose other than potentially adding to your next bill. Similarly, it’s better to make use of your laptops battery once it’s fully charged rather than leaving it connected. If you’re forgetful it might be worth buying a multiplug adapter that allows you to turn off several devices in a single flick of a switch.