The cost of living is unavoidable for the majority of Britons, with gas and electric, groceries and other utility bills rising by the month. Now, as the colder weather begins, people will be looking to put the heating on, perhaps take a hot bath or use a tumble drier more as rainy weather can prevent you hanging washing outside. However, all of these things can stack up financially.
To help with costs, experts at the Energy Saving Trust have shared some simple everyday changes that could save you up to £202 a year on energy bills. From easy daily things to incorporate into your routine, such as avoiding too many hotter washing cycles and swapping one bath a week for a shower, experts say all these tips can help you save money. Installing draught proofing is the top tip for bringing down energy bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust, but a four-minute shower can also save a suprising amount when it becomes a yearly habit.
Install draught proofing – this can save you up to £85 a year
Energy Saving Trust experts explained that you can “draught proof your windows and doors”. Unless your home is a new build, it said you could lose some heat through draughts via doors and windows.
Older homes can also be draughty via gaps around the floor or through the chimney.
It added: “Getting professional draught proofing for your windows and doors can save you around £85 in Great Britain and £95 in Northern Ireland. Professional draught proofing can cost around £250, but DIY draught proofing can be much cheaper.”
Take a four-minute shower to save up to £45 a year
A four minute shower could save you £45 a year in Great Britain – and £65 in Northern Ireland – according to the experts.
The Energy Saving Trust website said: “If you need some help sticking to that time, we have a list of four-minute shower songs.”
Switch off standby can also save you £45
Energy Saving Trust also urged people to “turn your appliances off standby mode”, adding that “you can turn almost all electrical appliances off at the plug without upsetting their programming”.
It did also suggest checking the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about, as some digital TV recorders and of course fridges and freezers, “need to be on all the time”.
Fewer, colder laundry cycles saves up to £27
The Energy Saving Trust said that if wash your clothes on a 30C cycle instead of higher temperatures and reduce your washing machine use by one run per week for a year, further saving can be made.
Three more tips from Energy Saving Trust are using your dishwasher less (saves up to £11 annually), swapping one bath a week for a shower (£10 saving) and turning off the lights when not needed, which saves about £8 each year.
