Tips for reducing your energy at home

40 free energy-saving recommendations that demonstrate the most cost-effective ways to save money at home

How to reduce energy consumption in the kitchen

The kitchen is a critical area of the home for energy waste, with significant energy savings possible when cooking provided you understand where energy is most likely to be wasted. Here are a few of our suggestions.

1. Make use of the microwave. Heat food in the microwave as frequently as possible – it’s the most efficient way to heat and cook food since its compact size allows for a higher degree of heat to be concentrated on whatever is being cooked.

2. Maintain a water-conscious attitude. When boiling food in a pan, use only enough water to cover the amount of food you’re cooking; boiling water you don’t need wastes a lot of energy.

3. Proceed cautiously. To conserve energy (and reduce the need to cook when you return home after work), try cooking during the day with a slow cooker – they consume roughly the same amount of energy as a light bulb.

4. Allow sufficient defrosting time. Refrigerate frozen food overnight or while you are at work. Defrosting food in advance often cuts cooking time in half and eliminates the need to utilise the energy of a microwave to speed up the defrosting process.

5. Avoid using metal baking trays in the oven. Wherever possible, use glass or ceramic plates in the oven since they retain heat better than metal dishes, making them the most energy-efficient alternative.

6. Bring out the fans. Invest in a fan-assisted or convection oven to ensure even heat distribution throughout the oven. This means that the temperature does not need to be as high as it would be in a conventional oven.

7. Select the appropriate pan size. Always use a pan that is the appropriate size for the amount of food you are cooking; this ensures that you are not wasting energy heating a larger surface area than necessary.

8. Select the appropriate size hob. Once you’ve chosen your pan, be sure to use the appropriate size hob. A larger burner consumes more energy, and a pan that is too large takes longer to heat up to the proper temperature.

9. Maintain clean heating rings. Similarly, maintain your heating rings as clean as possible; any food that adheres to the ring absorbs heat, reducing its efficiency.

10. Select the appropriate ring for the occasion. If you’re going to use the oven, cook a few meals at a time to make the most of having it on and hot, especially if you enjoy packing lunches for the week ahead.

Laundry energy-saving tips

Due to the amount of water used to wash clothing and the amount of electricity used to dry them, there are a few strategies to reduce your energy consumption and cost outlay when doing laundry.

11. Reduce the size of your bills, not your clothing. 90% of a washing machine’s energy use is spent on heating the water, therefore washing your clothing at 30-40°C saves you money.

12. Laundry should be hung up. Air-dry your laundry rather than tumble-drying it, especially in warm or windy weather.

13. Eliminate ironing time. Remove your garments from the dryer before they are entirely dry; they will iron much more quickly and your dryer will use less electricity.

How to save money on gas in your household using our money-saving recommendations

There are numerous ways to conserve gas in your home; here are just a few.

14. Replace your meter with a smart meter. If your supplier provides smart meters to clients like you, installing one is a no-brainer. By identifying where you spend the most money on energy, you may take actions to reduce consumption and save money.

15. Improve the efficiency of your gas appliances. With more energy-efficient appliances available than ever before, it’s critical to invest in models that utilise gas most efficiently.

16. Consider purchasing a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat enables you to monitor your gas usage and make adjustments to save money.

How to save money on power in your house using our money-saving recommendations

As with gas, there are a few simple modifications you can make around your home to help reduce your typical power usage and associated costs.

17. Utilize energy-efficient light bulbs. While lighting your home consumes a significant amount of electricity, you may conserve energy by investing in energy-efficient lightbulbs, which are widely accessible. You will not lose any light and will also save money.

18. Replace light switches with dimmer switches. In this manner, you’ll be able to illuminate a room as much as necessary while controlling the quantity of electricity used to do so.

19. Make use of energy-efficient appliances. Certain appliances, such as dishwashers, run on electricity rather than gas, so it’s important to look for the most energy-efficient models to avoid spending more than necessary. As a general reference, look for models rated A+++ by the EU.

20. Unplug everything that is not in use. A significant amount of electricity is lost by leaving unused gadgets plugged in. Even charger cords that are not attached to anything but remain linked to the socket might waste electricity, so it’s frequently preferable to err on the side of caution and remove anything that is not in use and turning off the power at the plug.

Insulation and home upgrades can help you save money and energy.

Insulation is a critical component of lowering your winter energy bills when it comes to heating your home. This is how.

21. Insulate the attic. A quarter of your home’s heat is lost through the roof, and older properties with existing insulation may not have the recommended levels, especially if it was built in the 1970s or 1980s. It is critical, therefore, to ensure that your loft or attic space is well insulated to avoid heat loss.

22. Doubling the amount of glazing. If you have single glazing (or a high rate of heat loss through doors and windows), consider installing double glazing to more effectively trap heat.

23. Ensure that the walls are properly insulated. Both hollow and solid walls can be insulated (or re-insulated) to improve heat retention. There are now government-funded incentives available to assist you with the cost of insulating if your property has cavity walls. Additionally, gaps between the floor and skirting boards can be insulated.

24. Ensure that hot water lines are properly insulated. Uninsulated water pipes cause hot water to heat up more slowly while it is running. Insulating the pipes will aid in water conservation.

25. Take solar panels into consideration. Installing solar panels in your home could result in a 30% reduction in your electricity expenses.

26. Determine your eligibility for assistance. There are numerous energy assistance programs available that may qualify you for a discount on your utility bills.

Conserve energy and money in your house

27. Keep warm and save money. By lowering your thermostat by just 1°C, you can save up to £80 every year!

28. Invest in layers. By wearing additional jumpers, socks, and slippers about the house and adding an extra blanket to the bed, you can avoid the temptation to turn up the heat.

29. Reduce the pressure. While a high-pressure power shower is a luxury, you’d be amazed at how much water it consumes – sometimes more than a bath.

30. Replace the boiler. Apart from guaranteeing boiler safety, upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler can help your home save money on energy costs.

31. Avoid leaving the faucet running. When brushing your teeth or washing your face, turn off the tap – it can waste more than six litres of water per minute when running.

32. Invest in a water-saving showerhead. This will help you conserve hot water while still providing a robust shower experience.

33. Switch off all lights. When you leave a room, turn off the lights unless you intend to return.

34. In the washing machine, run cold washes. Washing your clothes at 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees can save you up to a third on your laundry expenditures – you will occasionally need to perform a hot wash, but sticking to 30 degrees whenever possible can make a huge difference.

35. Outside, use halogen lightbulbs. These bulbs utilise roughly a quarter of the energy of incandescent lights without sacrificing brightness, making them an obvious choice for external illumination.

36. Install timers on the exterior or security lights. Your neighbours and pocketbook will not appreciate you leaving your external lights on all night. Assure that any external lights are on a timer or are activated by motion to ensure they turn on only when necessary.

37. Make the switch to an electric lawnmower. Electric mowers are significantly easier to operate than petrol-powered mowers and are also significantly more energy-efficient. If possible, invest in one.

38. Cover swimming pools and hot tubs. Maintaining the heat contained beneath the cover of a swimming pool or hot tub means that you’ll spend less energy heating them up again when it’s time to use them. Additionally, solar coverings can be purchased to heat the water.

39. Educate the family. Energy can be conserved only if everyone in the house understands how critical it is. If you have children, try turning energy conservation into a game to teach them why they should remember to turn off lights and appliances.

Put an end to your energy overpayments

40. Use Switch Squid to compare gas and electricity bills to ensure you’re on the most affordable tariff. It only takes a few minutes, is completely free, and may save you hundreds of pounds per year.