Ways to save money on your energy bills

It’s been a tough year for household finances, and it’s vitally important not to waste money unnecessarily on utility bills. The last few years have witnessed several unexpected economic shocks, but few have impacted on consumer finances as much as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with a resulting (and ongoing) spike in energy costs.

Because energy prices are belatedly falling, the UK Government ended its energy price guarantee on the 1st of July. While lower bills make state intervention less necessary, millions of households will be hit with significant increases in gas and electricity bills. As such, this month represents a unique window of opportunity to maximise energy efficiency, saving money on future bills with a combination of simple yet cost-effective steps…

Turn it down

It’s clichéd to talk about turning down your thermostat when there are more targeted ways to reduce energy usage. Cruden Homes fit thermostatic radiator valves which allow you to decrease the amount of heat individual radiators emit. Turning down thermostats in little-used rooms like bathrooms or spare bedrooms keeps radiators operational, maintaining an element of warmth without wasting money heating rooms which are unoccupied 99 per cent of the day.

Unplug devices

Even on standby, games consoles and smart TVs stealthily gobble up electricity. You’ll save more energy by putting wall socket switches up or removing plugs from the wall entirely. As an example, don’t leave mobile phone chargers constantly plugged in and switched on –activate them as and when needed. The only appliances requiring a constant power supply are fridges, freezers and any smart speakers used to control other domestic appliances.

Maximise solar gain

As the ultimate free heat source, ensure the sun can warm your home as much as possible. Pull curtains right back during sunny conditions, lift blinds and remove any large obstructions from windowsills to maximise the impact on internal temperatures. You might need to move round the house adjusting window fittings as the sun arcs from east to west. Leaving bedroom windows open overnight also reduces the need to use energy-intensive fans at bedtime.

Use timers

If you’ve ever fallen asleep with a fan running, only to wake in the night feeling cold, you’ll understand the perils of wasting energy on constant operation. When buying new appliances, look for integrated timers or sleep modes, such as TVs that switch off following a certain period of inactivity. Plug-in timers control the operation of objects like night lights, while smart speakers can be used to disengage appliances from anywhere in the home.

Invest in efficient lighting

Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are relatively inefficient, as well as emitting a weak light which isn’t always ideal for reading. Invest a little in full spectrum bulbs, which generate depression-banishing serotonin and last for many years. When replacing lamps, look for LED-powered units that cost pennies to run. Keep ceiling pendants switched off wherever possible – a table lamp will be cheaper, as well as offering more targeted illumination.

Maximise value

Finally, always try to extract maximum value from energy usage. Don’t just put the oven on to prepare a Sunday roast – cook some frozen fish for the cats, and pop in a couple of other dishes which can be cheaply reheated in the microwave the next day. If you’re putting the gas fire on, bring clothes horses of damp clothing into the room to minimise their drying time – though ensure the room is well ventilated. If you boil a full kettle for a cuppa, use the rest of the water in a hot water bottle.

Back to Latest Posts