Are you considering ways to reduce your energy bills? Good, because last year the average gas and electricity bill in the UK was £1,138 a year, which is more than double what it was 100 years ago. Apart from the cost, a home that uses a lot of excess energy is also contributing to the pollution and carbon emissions throughout the country. In our post on the ‘Top Tips to Reduce Energy Usage in Your Home’, it details how your appliances and heating system can be the biggest culprits when it comes to energy consumption. Fortunately, these are easy to remedy, and we are going to have a look at five ways to reduce your household bills. Upgrade Your Boiler Because more than half of your household energy bill is spent on heating, replacing an old and inefficient boiler can make a huge difference to your bill. Just ask Philip Dyte from London, who was recently featured in a Money Wise article about cutting energy bills. After he upgraded his flat’s old boiler, he noted that he saved over £100 on his yearly energy bill. HomeServe explains that when a boiler is old it is best to get it replaced as soon as possible. By upgrading your boiler, it is a good way to reduce the amount of energy consumption, as you can switch from a regular boiler to a combi boiler. This is the most popular type of boiler in the UK and can be a very economical option. Use Smart Thermostats While standard electric heating is extremely efficient, in the UK it is very expensive. In fact, it’s three to four times more expensive than a newer gas-powered central heating system. Using a smart thermostat and reducing room temperatures by just one degree can save you £75 a year. You can control these from your smartphone from practically anywhere and some can even learn your routine or adjust settings automatically based on the weather forecast. Home Insulation Insulating cavity walls and your loft can mean huge savings on your yearly energy bill, as well as getting double-glazing. Energy Saving Secrets states that laying thick 270mm loft insulation can save you up to £130 off your yearly energy bills, as a lot less heat will be lost through your roof. On the other hand, cavity wall insulation can save you up to £145 a year, while solid-wall insulation can save you £245 a year. This type of insulation is much more expensive to fit, however, the energy savings might be worth it in the long run. Meanwhile, double-glazed windows could result in savings up to £75-£100 a year, depending on the quality of glass. Energy-Efficient Appliances Apart from energy-saving LED light bulbs, choosing energy-efficient appliances in your home could save you money, too. Modern appliances tend to have energy ratings from A to G, with the former being the greenest and the latter the least green. Some appliances like fridge-freezer combinations have A+++ ratings and are much more efficient than appliances that are 10 years old. This is Money’s guide to energy efficient appliances, explains that households could save about £113 a year by switching to a more energy-efficient fridge freezer. An A+++ dishwasher could also save you £47 a year, while an A+++ washing machine could result in a savings of £34. Energy Efficient Lighting In the UK, lighting accounts for about 15% of a household’s energy bill. Upgrading from your standard light bulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs will cost just under £1.60 to run per year, whereas a traditional bulb is closer to £10. LED bulbs can save you £2 a year per bulb, and considering they cost less than £5 they will essentially pay for themselves in a few months. Getting into the habit of turning off lights when you leave a room is another good way to save on your energy bill.
