Save money on energy bills during coronavirus and beyond – 21 useful tips

Here at Focus on Disability we are always looking out for ways to help you save your pennies!  We have recently been contacted by comparethemarket.com who sent us their useful article: 21 useful tips to save on energy bills during coronavirus

Here are a few of our favourite tips to help you save a little on your energy bills:

Use a smart power strip

Did you know, the average household is said to waste as many as 7,374 hours of electricity every year when a device is left on standby?

Stuck at home, we’re bound to be using our electronic devices more often. Whether that’s while you work, or just because you’re binging the latest Netflix hit. It’s natural to leave the likes of laptops, phones, televisions, routers and even printers turned on in the background.

A smart power strip is the perfect way to combat these lost minutes. This device lets you choose what you want to keep on or turn off at any given time. That means you can easily prioritise what you do and don’t want to keep running.

Set streaming guidelines

Streaming is a great way to wind down, but it can be easy to lose track of time. This won’t only affect your energy bills, but can also make your internet slower – not exactly what you need when you’re trying to chat to work colleagues.

This is especially difficult if you’re part of a larger household. Setting a few rules is a great way to keep on top of your screen-time, while lowering costs.

Looking for more tips to slash your energy use on streaming? Here some other ways you could cut back costs:

• • Use low-powered devices. Instead of streaming a show on your television, consider watching it on a more energy efficient device like a laptop or tablet.
  • Change screen settings. You can turn down the brightness and volume of your device to save on power. Streaming at a lower resolution will also help, though this may affect your viewing experience.

Be smart with your radiators

As the weather gets cooler, you might be tempted to keep your heating running through the day. However, this could make a huge difference to your energy usage.

If you’re feeling the chill, why not try heating only the rooms being worked in? Simply turn the off the valves on all the radiators in unused rooms. That way, you can beat the chill with minimum impact to your bills.

Don’t boil water in a pan
It might seem logical to boil water in the same pan you’re going to use for cooking. And while it might feel like you’re being cost-effective, the opposite is actually true. The average kettle is about 80% efficient, while boiling water on the stovetop is only 70%. Plus, the kettle is also a much quicker way to get your water bubbling.

Bleed your radiators
If you’ve got gas central heating with radiators, you’ll need to bleed them every so often to keep them running effectively. If you’ve got air in the system it can stop hot water circulating efficiently. It’s a good idea to do it at least once a year and ideally before you switch on your heating for the winter. Get tips on how to bleed a central heating system.

Take control of your heating
The Energy Saving Trust suggests that turning down your thermostat by just one degree could save around £75 per year. Why not give it a go and see how much you save?

Also, check whether heat could be leaving your home through gaps. Thick curtains, draught excluders, and even a piece of putty in a small gap around a window will help keep the heat in. And it goes without saying – don’t leave windows and doors open if it’s not warmer outside than in.

Optimise your fridge space
If your fridge gets dusty it can struggle to function at full capacity. Make sure to regularly clean off the coils to optimise its performance.

Putting warm food in the freezer is another big no. It takes a lot more energy for your freezer to retain its temperature when you stack it with food that’s still warm. Let your leftovers cool before you stash them away.

Use your head with the washing up
Don’t wash up under a running tap. Fill the bowl up as much as is required for the level of washing up you have. If it’s just a few plates and cups, a third to a half of the bowl is all that’s required. You could also avoid rinsing your plates, as this wastes excess water.

Using a dishwasher? Make sure you fill it completely before you turn it on, to make the most out the energy it uses each cycle.

You can read the full article with all the tips on how to save money on your energy bills here: 21 useful tips to save on energy bills during coronavirus