When you endeavor to save energy, you also save on money and ultimately save the planet.
You have the ultimate authority when it comes to spending and saving energy use within your home. We continue to invest in various appliances that require the use of energy and with the rising cost of energy, we need to consider ways of saving the energy.
There are a few small adjustments that you can make in your home to be more energy efficient and cut down on your monthly power bills.
Methods of saving energy
There are several ways that you can reduce your long term and short term energy use without necessarily spending too much time or effort.
By adjusting your thermostat down 1°C, boiling just enough water for use at each particular time and defrosting your freezer on a regular basis. You should also consider washing clothes, dishes or hands in a basin instead of washing from a running tap, reducing the temperature of your washing machine down to 30°C and dry your clothes in the sun as opposed to using the machine. You should only turn your dishwasher only when it is fully loaded instead of washing few dishes each time. Reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower and completely turn off your electric appliances as opposed to leaving them on standby mode.
There are other ways that will cost you a few pounds to set up but save you much more in the long run. Setting up a chimney draft excluder will save your energy and some cash too. Replace your shower heads with more efficient ones, replace your light bulbs with efficient LEDs and turn off the lights as you exit any room. You can also install windows and doors that are draft-proof, repair cracks in the floor and put a skirting board. A room thermostat, programmer or a thermostatic radiator valve will also help you save energy use in your house.
If you intend to be in your current house for a considerable duration, then you can consider using methods that have a longer term effect in terms of energy saving. They will equally cost you a small fortune during set up, but the returns on energy efficiency and eventual cash save is worth it. You can install insulation for the cavity wall, loft, solid wall, solid floor and suspended timber floor. You can also consider installing solar panels on your roof.
Another way of saving energy is to ensure that the electrical appliances in your home are energy efficient. When you are purchasing these gadgets and equipment, always ensure to read the manufactures description of its energy consumption and efficiency. Most of the appliances such as fridges, freezers, cookers, washing machines etc. will have an EU energy efficiency tag with a range of between D up to A+++. D is the least energy efficient while A+++ is the most energy efficient appliance.
You may find that the more energy efficient appliances are more costly to purchase but the benefits of energy saving will make the investment worthwhile.
