Save Money on Electricity

Electricity often makes up a significant portion of many homeowners’ bills, with the average fuel tariff at £104.50 in the UK. Your heating, boiler, cooling, lighting, gas bill and devices can all rack up a substantial amount of money on your monthly bill. There are government schemes for financial help for utility bills (including Cold Weather Payments or Winter Discounts), but not everyone can be eligible.

Try using these tips to conserve energy and save money. They are easy to do and will reduce energy bills by many pounds per year.

1. Use compact fluorescent lightbulbs. They use up to 75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. Note that they emit UV rays and that other lightbulbs are better for your eyes.
2. Unplug your electronics when you are not using them. Information from The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy based in London states that 75% of electrical use by home electronics occurs when they are turned off. Simply unplug or turn off the power strip when they are not in use.
3. Put devices in sleep mode. You can put your computer, scanner, printer, and fax machine to sleep rather than unplugging them to conserve energy.
4. Turn down the heat when you leave. It costs money to reheat a room, so don’t shut down the heat altogether. Merely keep the temperature lower when you are away. Each one Celsius reduction can save one percent on winter heating bills.
5. Buy EU Energy Star products. The company says that its products can cut energy bills by up to 30%, about £400 for the average homeowners.
6. Maintain your fridge and freezer. Clean the coils twice a year to increase efficiency by 30% to 50%. Keep it full so that it has less space to keep cold. If you have nothing to put in it, just fill it with water bottles. You should also check the seal on the door by closing a dollar bill in the door and then pulling it out. If it comes out easily, you should replace the seal.
7. Seal doors and windows to prevent heat from leaving or cold air from entering.
8. Open your shades and let natural sunlight heat up the room. Close them at night to prevent heat from escaping.
9. Apply for government schemes for saving energy. There are even grants for paying heating bills.
10. Use motion sensors to turn the lights on and off automatically. They will make sure you do not accidentally leave the lights on when you exit a room.
11. Use a smart metering program to monitor the amount of electricity you are using. It will help give you an idea of when to turn off the lights and shut off your devices.
12. Invest in green energy. Solar power and other renewable sources of energy are becoming increasingly popular. They can save electricity and preserve fossil fuels.
13. Explore independent tariff energy plans. The big six fuel suppliers are not the only option in the UK; many families use independent suppliers.
14. Set limits. Monitor the amount of time you watch television or use the computer. Try going for a walk or reading a book instead.

Use these tips to reduce both your electricity bill and carbon footprint. The chances are that you’re still using fossil fuels. Help save the environment and your wallet by taking these mindful steps. Even making slight changes is very beneficial.