Energy bills rose in early October, with households in England, Wales and Scotland using a typical amount of gas and electricity now paying £2,500 a year – an increase of £500.
Energy-saving measures will not compensate for the sharp rise in prices. But collectively, many small changes could save hundreds of dollars a year.
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Ovens can be an inefficient way of cooking because they have to heat a relatively large space. Using a microwave, pressure cooker, or air fryer instead can save you money.
For example, from October 1st it will cost 3p to heat a frozen ready meal in an 800W (watt) microwave for seven minutes. It would cost 40p for 35 minutes in a 2000W oven, energy efficiency website Sust-it estimates.
Microwaves usually save energy because they cook faster. For example, a baked potato might take 90 minutes in an oven, 45 minutes in an air fryer, and 10 minutes in a microwave.
According to The Energy Saving Trust and which?
Switching to LED bulbs can make a big difference.
A household using a dozen 40W incandescent or halogen bulbs for four hours a day could spend around £238 a year, estimates Sust-it. LED equivalents would cost £41.70 – a saving of £196.30 per year.
LED bulbs may cost more but last longer and save money over time.
Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature (often 18-21°C).
Turning your thermostat down just one degree could save you around £145 a year on bills, says the Energy Saving Trust. This is based on a semi-detached house with heating on weekdays from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 11pm and on weekends from 7am to 11am.
For smaller houses, like a townhouse or an apartment, the savings are smaller.
You can also switch off the heating in rooms that you are not using.
Bleeding radiators to remove trapped air and moving furniture off them helps warm the airflow in a room more easily.
When your home is poorly insulated, it loses heat more easily and is harder to keep warm.
Insulation and draft control – to prevent heat from escaping around doors and windows – helps trap heat.
A professional draft shield could cost around £225, says the Energy Saving Trust. However, it can save around £125 a year – based on a typical semi-detached house.
You can also save money with DIY options like self-adhesive strips for window joints and heavy curtains.
“It won’t necessarily be a huge cost saving, but it will make your home feel more comfortable at a lower temperature,” says Emily Seymour, sustainability editor at which?.
Most heat is lost through the roof, so roof insulation should be a priority.
For renters, installing insulation may not be an option, as landlords are responsible for making major improvements. However, landlords can be fined if they rent properties that do not meet minimum energy efficiency requirements.
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Washing machines and tumble dryers can be energy hungry, according to Emily Seymour. But there are ways to use them efficiently, she says.
Use any Eco settings and turn your machine down – especially when the clothes aren’t that dirty.
Washing clothes at 30C and one less wash per week could save £28 a year, says the Energy Saving Trust.
If possible, dry laundry outside instead of in a tumble dryer. According to Sust-it, as of October, running an energy-efficient dryer will cost at least £36 a year based on average usage, or up to £159 for an inefficient model.
Not using an inefficient dryer for four months in the summer could save you up to £70 a year, according to the Energy Savings Trust.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, in a typical gas heated home, around 12% of its energy bill is used to heat water for showers, baths and taps.
However, if you have a power shower the saving could be less since you use more hot water.
Meanwhile, cutting your shower time from eight minutes to four could save you £70 a year. This is based on five showers per week.
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