7 Energy-Saving Tips To Help Reduce Your Home's Energy Bills

Many people are unaware of the amount of energy they use. By making simple changes, you can cut down on your electricity and gas consumption and save money on your energy bills.

If you're looking for ways to save money on your energy bill, there are plenty of ways to cut back on the cost of heating and cooling your home.

Here are some easy ways to reduce your consumption:

1. Switch off appliances when they're not in use

This is a simple way to save energy, but it's also one that many people overlook. It's estimated that up to 10% of household electricity is wasted by leaving appliances on standby or in standby mode.

Alternatively, you can plug electronic devices into power strips and turn them off when not in use. You can buy inexpensive power strips at any hardware store. They allow you to switch off multiple items with just one switch and will help reduce energy usage considerably if used properly.

If you've got fans in the house, ensure they are energy efficient. Finally, remember that if it's cloudy or foggy outside, it's unlikely the heaters will have to kick in—bundle up!

2. Turn lights off when they're not needed

Light bulbs that have been left on for hours can waste hundreds of dollars each year, so it pays to be vigilant about turning them off when rooms are not in use or by using dimmers (which can save an additional 20% on lighting costs).

3. Unplug appliances that don't need to be charging after use (such as laptops)

If you leave these devices plugged in constantly, they'll continue drawing power even when they're fully charged. It's best to keep your electronics plugged into power strips and unplug them when they're not in use. Cable boxes and game consoles are good candidates since you can set them to turn off after a given period of time. Larger appliances often suck up a lot of energy when left on standby, so remember to switch them off.

4. Switch off your fridge

This is a huge energy drain for most people and one of the easiest ways to cut back on electricity costs if you don't already do it. It's particularly important when you're away on holiday or have popped out for the day, but even if you're at home, it's worth turning off your fridge if you're only going to be away for a few hours. It will save around £100 per year just by doing this once a week!

5. Turn down your heating

This may seem counter-intuitive in winter when it's cold outside, but turning down your thermostat by 1°C could reduce your heating bill by around 10%. This can also help save money on cooling bills in summer (although obviously, the reverse applies).

6. Use a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow you to program the temperature in your home when you're not there, saving energy by keeping the temperature at a lower setting while you're out and a higher setting when you're at home. You can also set it up so that if the temperature drops below a certain point while you're away, it will turn itself on and heat or cool the house back up to your desired temperature.

7. Change how you cook

If you're cooking with gas or electric heaters or ovens, try using an alternative method - like an electric air fryer. We're not saying that you can make endless awesome dishes with an air fryer, but if you can get your hands on one, then the savings are worth it. An air fryer is your new best friend compared to an electric oven. It's cheaper, faster, and cleaner.

Conclusion

The biggest thing to remember is that you'll get the best bang for your buck with these tips by using them all. If you can't implement all of them at once, do what works for you when possible. The savings can be worth the effort.