Published: 01/08/2022
As of April 1, millions of people around the country saw their energy prices jump massively, sending their utility bills through the roof.With the cost of living also rising it’s no surprise that people are looking to save money where they can. This may be on going out less, ordering fewer takeaways or shopping at a cheaper supermarket.
However, there are also changes you can make around your home to lessen the impact of the energy price hike on your wallet. Because let’s face it, you don’t want to impact too much on enjoying yourself.
Around your home there are so many changes you can make, with everything from light bulbs to your white goods coming with an energy efficiency rating. The better the rating the less power they’re using to perform the same job.
You can also make sure to bleed your radiators regularly. It will keep your central heating working as efficiently as possible and will make sure you get the most heat possible out of your radiators. On the heat side of things an efficient boiler is also a big help. Make sure the pressure is always set between 1 and 2 bar. Check your manual on what the pressure should be, and how to check it if it isn’t
Most energy companies will offer you a smart meter, which allows you to track how much energy different appliances use. These are great, but be careful not to be addicted to it, otherwise you’ll end up sitting in the dark reading a book by candlelight.
Eco friendly homes are also becoming more prominent, and not because of a fad seen on Grand Designs – they’re actually a great long-term investment that will protect your pocket and the planet in the long run. Two birds, one stone – see, even your phrases are becoming efficient.
But eco-friendly homes are certainly no joke. They use materials and technology that reduce your carbon footprint, and require less energy consumption, making your home environmentally low impact.
When people hear the term eco friendly you can be fooled into thinking it means the same thing as self-sufficient. However, an eco-friendlier life will not see you growing your own vegetables and only drinking rainwater (although harvesting rainwater is an effective water conservation method.)
It’s more about thermal insulation - making sure your house is well insulated, using renewable, non-toxic, and biodegradable materials.
Technology has a huge part to play in keeping homes energy efficient too. Thermostats can be programmed and controlled via an app, as can your lights etc so you never have to heat or light an empty home.
On top of this you may have seen homes with solar panels on, using the most natural energy source there is. Whereas these can be expensive, in the long term they will pay for themselves, protecting your wallet and the planet.
Because, seriously, what can be better than saving money? Saving the world, of course – one energy efficient light bulb at a time.