As we all know, energy prices have gone through the roof. Households and businesses are struggling to keep up with energy costs. In this blog post, we will be looking at simple tips that will save you some money off your next energy bill.
Always pull out the plug
Make sure that you turn your appliances off at the wall when you are no longer using them. It is very easy to leave switches left on by mistake, that’s why we recommend ensuring they are plugged out. This could knock off up to 20% of your next electricity bill. Simple things like ensuring the TV, wifi, and phone chargers are plugged out when not in use will save you money.
Turn Your Heating Down
Heating and hot water use a lot of energy and can drastically increase your bill. Turning your heating down by one degree can save you up to 10% off your bill. We recommend that you tweak the thermostat to save yourself some money. During the winter months, it’s important to conserve as much heat as possible. Make sure to seal your windows and doors and keep the curtains closed to retain the heat in the house. A small change in lowering your heating costs could save you up to €300 per year.
Be Responsible
Take control and ensure heat is not being wasted if you are asleep or away from home. Set your heating and hot water on a timer that is convenient for everyone in your household. We recommend considering an electricity monitor which can identify how much energy you are using and if that amount is required or not. Using smart heating systems can help reduce costs and save you more money each year.
Take A Shower Instead Of A Bath
It is a lot cheaper to take a shower than a bath. A shower only uses 20% of the energy needed to heat the water for a bath. If you don’t have a shower make sure to keep bath times short and shallow.
Cook With Care
Much of our household energy is used in the kitchen, but you can make small changes to reduce energy use. The oven takes up a lot of energy, use a microwave or air fryer if possible. Only pre-heat your oven when required and defrost food before cooking. Try hand washing your dishes if possible and if not, only use your dishwasher when it’s full.
Hang Out Your Washing To Reduce Energy Costs
The tumble dryer is one of the most expensive appliances in our homes, using around 2.5 kilowatts per hour (kWh) per hour, so use it sparingly. In good weather, dry your clothes outside or on a clothes horse in a warm room on wet days.
You can save money by washing your clothes efficiently too. Avoid prewashing and wash your clothes at 30 degrees with a liquid detergent whenever possible.
If your washing machine has an eco programme, use it to save 30% on energy usage and fully load your drum to keep washes to a minimum.
For more information contact us on our website or email nick@alphawealth.ie or dlooney@alphawealth.ie