Find out how saving energy at home can help your wallet and the environment

With ballooning energy prices, we’re all looking for ways to save money by using less electricity.  Energy efficiency in the home not only cuts your fuel bills but also reduces your carbon footprint and helps protect our planet. Keep reading to find out how making several small changes can add up to big annual savings.

Switch to LED light bulbs

Lighting accounts for about 15% of an average home’s electricity use, says the Energy Savings Trust. If you are still using incandescent bulbs than switching to LED bulbs is one of the simplest ways to cut your energy bills. LED lights use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.  It may sound obvious but remembering to turn lights off when you leave a room will also save electricity.

Check your thermostat

Reducing the temperature of your home by just one degree Celsius can save as much as £321 a year says energy supplier Utilita  – and you may not even notice the difference (prices based on October 2022 energy cap). An estimated two-thirds of UK households are cranking their thermostat to 20C or higher. But experts say 18C is warm enough for a healthy person to be comfortable in winter. Of course, how warm you feel will also depend on how well your home is insulated.

Keep it cool when it comes to washing machines

Using your washing machine on a 30C cycle will save you a considerable amount of energy over the course of a year rather than sticking to 60C washes. Most of the energy a washing machine uses goes toward heating the water. Experts reckon a cooler 30C wash could save over a third of energy compared to washing at 40C. 

While 30C washes are typically recommended for delicate or slightly soiled items, it’s also a good temperature for mixed loads and bright colours. The hotter the wash, the more likely items are going to quickly fade.  However, you may prefer washing at hotter temperatures for towels and sheets to kill germs. A good temperature is 40C, but the NHS recommends 60C.

Avoid tumble dryer – a washing line is free

Why use a tumble dryer when you could dry your clothes outside on a washing line for free?  Tumble dryers use more energy than most washing machines. It’s much cheaper and better for the environment to air dry your clothes outside or on a clothes horse. Remember to open windows or run a dehumidifier when drying clothes inside.

If you do use a tumble dryer, use a fast spin on your washing so the  clothes will need less drying. And don’t overload your dryer.Clean your tumble dryer and fridge filters to keep them running as efficiently as possible.

Use dishwasher on eco-mode

Dishwashers typically account for about 8% of a household energy bill. Only run your dishwasher when it is full to reduce the amount of energy (and water) you use. Most modern dishwashers have an eco-setting which lowers the wash and rinse temperatures during a cycle, using less energy than a standard setting.

Reducing the running cost of your appliance can also be achieved by opting for a smaller machine and/or choosing the most energy efficient model.

Customers who are on an economy 7 or off-peak rate will benefit from discounted energy use at off peak times (usually between 10pm and 8am) This means they can shave money off their bill just by using their dishwasher and clothes washing machine at night, instead of day.

Don’t overfill your kettle

If you’re boiling the kettle for a cuppa, don’t overfill it. A UK Government survey found nearly three quarters of us admit to boiling the kettle with more water than we’re going to use. Consider buying an eco-friendly kettle with a minimum fill of just 250ml or enough for one hot drink.

When cooking, instead of boiling water on the hob, it’s quicker and more energy-efficient to boil water in a kettle and then pour it into a pan on the hob for boiling or steaming. Always put a lid on a pan to keep the heat in. Remember to turn down the heat once the water has boiled, most dishes just need to simmer.

Switch off standby

The average UK households wastes £65 a year on electricity for appliances, such as TVs, left on standby, according to figures published by the Energy Savings Trust in March 2022. Consider buying a standby saver or smart plug which allows you to turn off all your appliances on standby in one go. Some come with timers while others have a single off-switch. Check if satellite and TV recorders can be turned off at the plug without affecting the programming. Get into the habit of unplugging mobile phone chargers as soon as your device is fully charged.

Buy energy efficient appliances

When you’re shopping for a new appliance, check the energy label for size you require. Appliances are tested for how much energy they typically use.  This gives them a rating on a scale of A to G with A being the most efficient and G the most energy guzzling. Some appliances use an older scale with A+++ being the most efficient.

While you may have to fork out more for the most energy efficient model, it will be cheaper to run in the long term. Which? consumer magazine tests energy consumption of different appliances.  See below for the maximum savings between the highest and lowest annual running costs with prices based on the October 2022 Energy Price Guarantee.

Fridge freezer - £167
Tumble dryer - £188
Washing machine - £88
Dishwasher - £71

Change boiler flow temperature

Book a boiler service and ask your engineer about energy savings adjustments that can save you money, such as reducing your boiler’s flow temperatures.

The default boiler flow level which regulates the temperature of water  is often set too high, advises Octopus Energy. Experts say you can turn down a combi (combination) boiler to 50C for heating and 55C for hot water, which could save you money.  A combi boiler sends hot water on demand to your hot water taps and radiators. The water isn’t stored in a tank in the attic or cylinder.

But if you have a boiler and hot water cylinder, don’t change the flow temperature on your own, advises EDF. “It’s important that a qualified professional checks to see if your system is appropriate and safe,” said the energy supplier. Water stored in a tank needs to be kept at 60C or higher to reduce the risk of potentially lethal legionella bacteria growing in it.

Install central heating controls

]If you live in an older home and don’t already have thermostatic radiator valves  (TRVs), then ask your boiler engineer or a plumber to install them. This makes it easier to cut costs by only heating the rooms you need.  For instance, turning radiators off in an empty bedroom. If you only have one thermostatic valve for your home, each degree you turn it up will increase your energy bill by about 10%, says the Energy Savings Trust.

There are also smart radiator valves (SRV) that can be programmed remotely through a smartphone app. These may have smart features, such as open window detection to help you waste less energy. Having radiator valves – whether they are smart valves or traditional manual ones – is a more cost-effective way of heating your home.  

Cutting down on energy usage could save you hundreds of pounds a year. Simple ways to save money include turning down the thermostat and washing your laundry at lower temperatures.

If you are looking for help with any electrical issues, you may find some of these services useful: