Don’t Be A Fuel Fool – Save On Gas And Electricity
By Jay Tillotson

Even though energy costs in the UK have been rising, you can still save yourself pounds each year by following simple yet effective energy-saving advice. Most of the hints outlined here are just common sense when you stop to consider them; but few do. And remember, they won’t just save you money, but they’ll go towards reducing your carbon footprint too.

The biggest impact on your energy bill comes from heating, so this is the area you’d need to concentrate on first. Other areas of your home can also have an impact; installing double glazing, cavity wall and loft insulation, and fitting draught excluders will reduce the amount of heat you lose through your walls, windows and ceilings.

Turning your thermostat down by even a few degrees can make a big difference to your fuel costs without compromising on comfort. If you want to go even further, try only putting your heating on during the very coldest days; wear extra layers the rest of the time. Having your heating on all day, especially if you are out of the house, is a sheer waste of money. Try just having the heat on first thing in the morning, and perhaps a couple of hours in the evening; you’ll soon notice the difference in your bills.

Another tip which many people don’t realise is that if you have a radiator below a window, you could lose quite a lot of heat. Try tucking your curtains behind the radiator, and remove any furniture in front of it to keep the heat inside the room.

Of course, it’s not just heating your home which costs money. You can save a lot on electricity by simply switching appliances off when not in use – off at the wall, not on standby – and unplugging things like phone chargers until you need them. In the kitchen, you could potentially save the most on your electric bill by always closing the fridge or freezer door after use, and keeping them well stocked up – a freezer uses up more energy trying to keep an empty space cold than it does freezing food. Also, if you wish to chill warm food, allow it to cool to room temperature before placing it in the fridge.

Your laundry facilities can use up a lot of energy, so watch your load sizes. A large load is actually more energy-efficient than a small one, unless your machine has a half-load economy setting. If so, use this when doing smaller loads. Avoid drying clothes over a radiator as this restricts the heat flowing into the room; instead, use a clothes-horse in a closed room. Dry outside whenever possible, and if you have to use your tumble dryer, make sure you empty the filter after every load. Check all your appliances for their energy rating (A-G). An appliance with a rating of A will use less than half the energy of one with a G rating. Keep this in mind when buying any new electrical items.

Finally, check with your supplier to see what unit cost you’re paying for. You may be able to save money by simply switching providers.

Be Sociable, Share!

•