LIFE HACKS WITH J.C. – PART 2: MORE ENERGY SAVING TIPS

LIFE HACKS WITH J.C. – PART 2:  MORE ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Welcome to Part 2 of this series of energy saving tips. Winter may be nearly over, but it is never too late to save money on your utility bills. Here are a few more ways in which you can save money:-

ENERGY SAVING TIP 7 – Use LED light bulbs:-

If you’re still not using LED light bulbs this might be the right time to replace your current ones. LED light bulbs use up to 75% less energy as they heat while still offering the same quality lighting. Also, their lifespan is 25 times longer than that of traditional incandescent bulbs. So, it’s a double win to save money and energy.

ENERGY SAVING TIP 8 - Install low-flow shower heads:-

Installing low-flow shower heads and taps won’t only reduce your electricity bill, but also your water bill, - killing two birds with one stone!! These reduce the amount of water you use in your home by reducing the water flow rate. But it can also save a great deal of energy, as heating water accounts for a significant portion of a home’s energy usage. With this low cost hack you could save around £70 each year on your bills!

If you’re ready to take a leap and invest a bit more to make your home as energy efficient as possible, read on for our last budget energy saving hacks.

ENERGY SAVING TIP 9 – Insulate your home:-

It is very important to have an insulated and airtight home. Otherwise, air can easily escape out or creep in. One of the most important places to insulate is your loft, or attic. Being situated directly underneath the roof an attic can cause a quarter of all heat loss.

By insulating your attic, but also your walls, you’ll be able to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. This can help improve the overall energy efficiency of your home.

There is a wide variety of financial help available with the costs of making your home more energy efficient, so if you are in receipt of means-tested benefits or on a low income it is worth finding out what is available from your energy supplier and/or by visiting the Citizens Advice Bureau website. Grants/awards for this kind of work are generally available.

ENERGY SAVING TIP 10 – Upgrade to energy efficient appliances:-

Your home appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines and water heaters can represent up to 36% of your energy bill. So, you might consider having a look at your appliances and switching to more energy efficient ones that consume less energy. For example, there has been much talk in the media over the last year about the cost benefits of using appliances such as microwaves; air fryers and slow cookers in place of traditional ovens for cooking. Even small surface top ovens are more efficient and cheaper to run than standard-sized ovens, as less energy is used heating a smaller oven compartment. In my opinion, this is definitely worth looking into.

However, you should keep in mind that you have to buy the right size appliance for your family’s needs. As stated above, a bigger appliance will be more expensive to run than a smaller one. So, if you’re a family of three, you might reconsider purchasing the largest washing machine available in store.

BONUS ENERGY SAVING TIPS

There are lots of other actions you can take to help save money in your home.

Here are three bonus tips:

·        Plant trees or install shading devices: Installing an awning or shading screens on the south or west sides of your home will block the sun’s heat during summer and, therefore, reduce the need for air conditioning.

·        Install a solar water heater: This device will allow you to use the sun’s energy to heat water for your home. This investment will allow you to create your own energy, and so save a significant amount of money on your monthly water heating costs.

·        Install a heat pump: Heat pumps can also give you the opportunity to create your own heat, but this time by using the heat from the ground or the air. With these you can get hot water and heating all while saving money.

Now you know all about the best energy saving tips: from the easy free ones your family can implement daily, to the bigger, budget ones that will take your home to another level in the energy efficiency stakes.

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this short series, and I hope you’re able to find something here that can help you save money.