Are your daily habits wasting energy? With gas and electricity bills climbing once again in the cold winter months, it’s the perfect time to change behaviours that are adding to your energy use.
Here are 6 things you might still be doing that are costing you money.
Leaving devices plugged in (even if they’re switched off)
Most people know that devices left on standby still use electricity, and try to switch their devices off completely when not in use. However, did you know that your electric appliances and gadgets could still be wasting energy, even when switched off?
This phantom load can add up to 10% of your home’s energy usage. The Energy Saving Trust estimates households could save £45 a year on their bills, just by unplugging electronics completely when they’re not in use.
Overboiling the kettle
The average person in the UK enjoys at least two hot drinks every day – but you might be wasting energy every time you boil the kettle.
Boiling more water than you need wastes electricity, as well as time, as it will take longer to heat up. Use a mug to measure out the amount of water you actually need when you fill the kettle to get your perfect cuppa faster and cheaper.
Top tip! 23% of Brits admit to boiling the kettle and then forgetting about it – set a tea alarm to make sure you enjoy your drink without having to boil again
Singing in the shower
Is your one-man rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody wasting energy? The Energy Saving Trust estimates that a household keeping showers under four minutes will save £60 a year on their hot water bill.
Use a timer to keep an eye on how long you’re spending soaping up – or just learn some shorter songs to serenade the bathroom with!
Blocking your radiators
Where your furniture is positioned affects more than just the Feng Shui of a room. Heavy furniture like sofas and bookcases positioned in front of radiators blocks the flow of warm air into the room, wasting energy as heat is lost through the walls and windows.
Rearrange the room to allow your radiators space to work, and you’ll feel warmer without having to crank up the heating. Speaking of which…
Reaching for the thermostat
If you reach to turn up the heating whenever you get cold, you’ll find yourself paying for the habit. Before cranking your thermostat up by another degree, put on an extra layer or a warm pair of socks.
Alternatively, direct heating like an electric blanket is a much more efficient way to stay cosy than heating the whole room – or the whole house.
Leaving the lights on
If your house was like mine, then growing up, you had constant reminders not to leave the lights on when you left the room. Your mum had a point – leaving lights on is one of the most common habits wasting energy in UK homes.
Lighting is responsible for 9-12% of home electricity usage, so cutting this wherever you can is an easy way to save on bills. Make things easier on yourself by using solar-powered garden lights and timer plugs in sockets to turn lighting off automatically when you head to bed without having to think about it.
Top tip! Cut your bills even more with over 100 energy-saving tips and hacks
Not wasting energy? You can still save on your bills
If you’re confident that you’ve already broken these bad habits – good news! You can still save money on your gas and electricity bills.
Switching to a better value gas and electricity tariff will save you money, regardless of how much – or how little – energy you use at home.
Book a free call with Please Connect Me today to compare energy tariffs, find out how much you could save and get switched over in minutes.
