No matter how many people currently reside in your house, running a household can be an expensive endeavour. From electricity bills to food costs, everything that goes into running a home costs money.
If your household is similar to the majority of homes in the UK, then you likely spend an average of £1200 each month on your energy bill. While that is a hefty sum, there are certain options available to those looking to reduce that cost. If you are looking to cut down on what is likely one of your highest monthly expenditures, then here are a few things you should consider.Reassess Your Utility Contracts
The first thing that you should do when you start off trying to cut down on what you spend on energy each month is looking at the contracts that you have in place with utility companies. There might be better options available that would save you money in the long run.
If you don’t have the time to go over your existing contracts, or if you don’t know where to begin, then companies like Utility Bidder are set up to do this on your behalf. They can compare the costs and benefits of going with different utility companies and help you find the best deals for your household. Installing a smart metre will also help you to see where your main usage comes from.
Update Your Appliances
When was the last time you checked out the energy ratings on the appliances that are in your home? If the appliances already in place in your house when you moved in, then you might not have even thought about their energy rating.
If you do decide to update your appliances, there are certain guidelines that you should look to stick to. While new appliances could cost a bit more upfront, the long-term savings are well worth the price.
Learn How to Use Your Appliances More Efficiently
Having the right appliances in place is only half the battle when it comes to increasing the energy efficiency of your home. Learning how to use them wisely is the next thing to do to cut down on your costs.
Firstly, are you leaving appliances switched on when they are not in use? This is a common mistake that is easily rectified. Another thing to consider is running your washing machine on a colder temperature as using hot water when washing your clothes is typically unnecessary and costs much more than using cold water.
Switch Out Your Light Bulbs
Lighting all the rooms in your house can be one of the things contributing to a higher energy bill. This is especially true if you either work from home or find yourself at home more than you are away from it.
Consider switching to more energy-efficient light bulbs. As the demand for such lighting has increased, the options available for such bulbs have increased as well. There are various types of lighting to choose from that are both aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient.