Energy saving tips for spring
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Spring is finally here, and temperatures are on the rise. There might even be (whisper it!) the odd sunny day.
It’s tempting to think that when winter’s over, there’s no point in trying to save money on your gas or electricity bill by saving on energy at home.
But we’re here to tell you that you can still lower the cost of running your home by following these simple tips.
Get your heating right for spring
Spring sunshine is surprisingly warm, so open all the curtains first thing in the morning to let the light in to heat things up. Close them again as soon as it gets dark to stop the warmth escaping.
Of course, early spring can be chilly, so you might still need to use your heating. Make sure it’s on a timer and check your temperature settings are right now that it’s getting warmer outside.
Keep your internal doors shut where you can, to keep heat in the areas you want it. For example, your living room will feel comfortable at around 19-21°C while your bedroom should be at least 2°C cooler to help you sleep.
If you have a gas boiler, consider setting the radiator temperature to 50-55°C. This will be more efficient and will still be hot enough to keep you warm as the ambient spring temperatures are much higher than in the depths of winter. If you have a smart heating system, it may do this for you.
If you have storage heaters and an Economy 7 electricity tariff which has cheaper off-peak rates, gradually lower the input setting as the weather gets warmer until you can turn them off completely.
Use less energy in the kitchen
In an average home, you use around 3-5% of your energy in cooking. That may not sound a lot but 5% of £2000, for example, is £100. For maximum efficiency, use a microwave to reheat things, then an air fryer for 1-2 people and electric ovens for batch cooking.
Instead of turning on the extractor fan, which can cost up to £13 a year to run, open a window to bring in fresh air without the need for electricity.
When boiling vegetables, use as little water as you can – you don’t need to cover them completely as the steam will cook them.
Save more by boiling water in your kettle before adding it to the pan, rather than heating it up from cold on the hob. It’s quicker too!
Check to see whether your fridge or freezer needs defrosting. If it’s clogged with ice, it will be using more energy.
Clean up (on savings)
If you’ve got a dishwasher, use it – and make sure it’s full. On average, they use under a quarter of the hot water needed for hand washing.
Wash your clothes at 30° to use 57% less electricity and save 20kg of CO2 per year. Your clothes will be just as clean.
If you have the space, dry your clothes outside when it’s dry – you can save up to £30 a year by doing this.
Put down the expensive air freshener and employ the Stoßlüften! This is the German practice of shock ventilation, opening all your windows completely for 3-5 minutes (no longer). You get spring-temperature fresh air and it will quickly warm back up thanks to the residual heat in the fabric of your home.
Take a quick shower or share your bath water. On average a bath uses around the same amount of hot water as a 10-minute shower, so make those showers speedy to maximise your savings.
For more handy hints and tips on saving money on your energy bills, visit these independent websites.
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