Put on a cardigan
Most families have the heating on at 20 degrees centigrade all day and wonder about the house in a blouse or T-shirt and shorts. Turn down the thermostat just one or two degrees or put on a jumper or cardigan and you can shave money off your heating bill. Turn off the radiators in rooms you’re not using and keep windows and doors closed if the heating is turned on. You’ll hardly notice the difference if your house is well insulated. Even buy a hot water bottle. Don’t let heat slip through the cracks. Draw the curtains or blinds at night and use draught-blockers for doors.
Hot water temperature
If your hot water is piping hot, it’s probably too high. Set the thermostat to no more than 60c/140f.
Make sure the central heating and hot water is off when you’re out for the day — whether that’s at work, school or visiting relatives. Use a programmable timer so it comes on only when necessary. If you haven’t got one get an electrician to install and start saving long term.
Change to LED Bulbs
A new LED light bulb costs as little as £5 online. Thanks to its efficiency and long life, it will save more over its lifetime, plus less maintenance changing over lamps and less electricity used. LEDs are the way to go as they work great and use up to 85 percent less energy to deliver the same amount to light. Today’s LED light bulbs come in virtually any shape, light level you can imagine. They reach full brightness instantly, dim and direct the light exactly where you want it.
Purchase A* efficiency rating on your household electrical product
It may be too late now but take it into consideration when purchasing new electrical products. From a TV to a washing machine. The A* efficiency rating can drastically reduce your water usage and electric usage depending on each product. They may cost more to purchase but it will work out in the long run, just think how many times you use them per year.
Switch It Off
Turn Things Off When You’re Done: A desktop computer running 24/7 to light in the hallway. Make “switch it off when done” a smart household habit for all lights and devices, from computers to game consoles and TVs. Ignore anyone who says it takes more electricity to switch lights back on that is saved switching them off — experts say that is just a myth. Cut out any bad habits. Turning off lights when you nip to the shops on a gloomy winter evening and on landings at night can save money. Unplug appliances that have a light on when idle. That’s the TV, DVD player and even the mobile phone charger.
Read your meter regularly and monitor your electricity usage
Avoid estimated bills at all costs. This is when your energy supplier guesses how much energy you use in a year and averages it out. It can leave you paying much more than you need. Provide your supplier with accurate meter readings instead.
Check your meter once every three months at the very least. Record your usage by calling your supplier or setting up an online account.
If you’re heavily in credit on your account, ask for some money back — this way it will be earning interest in your bank account.
Get free loft insulation or do it yourself
Take advantage of free insulation deals. Making your home more energy-efficient could shave hundreds of pounds off your bill each year. Loft insulation alone can save you up to £175 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Cavity wall insulation adds a further £135 saving.
Shop around for your electricity provider
As we all know shopping around online for your electricity provider can potentially save you money, especially if you haven’t done it for a while or are just constantly renewing with your existing provider. Try https://switch.which.co.uk
If you would like any advice or to discuss your requirements on a face-to-face basis and design a FREE electrical quotation to suit your present and future needs contact us on the details below.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Nathan Lane
Livewire Electrical Design & Installation Ltd
07899 946079
01242 300400
Info@electricianincheltenham.co.uk
www.livewireuk.net
Livewire Electrical – Big enough to cope, small enough to care.