31 Oct Energy saving tips for the winter ahead

As winter approaches and we find the urge to put the heating on, switch lights on and tumble dry clothes; our long-established routine will leave us with one thing on our minds, the price of energy. This year the cost of living and increased energy bills will be rather worrying for some. If you’re thinking of moving house or just need to be smarter about your spending, the tips below may just help you to save a few pounds on your energy bill over the coming months. While cutting down on the energy you use will save money on your energy bill, you can also help to reduce your own carbon footprint for a better world for all.

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Top tips for saving energy

Understand your energy bills

Now more than ever we need to understand and analyse what is being spent on our energy bills. By checking and understanding your bill you can take control of your usage and start saving money by ensuring that you are being billed for the right amount, not racking up a debt and knowing if there is a cheaper tariff you can move to.

Go for appliances that are more energy efficient

There are a number of new products on the market including smart kettles and airfryers. If you’re moving house and looking for new appliances check the energy efficiency on the product. Spending a little more on an appliance, will save you more in the long run on energy usage.

Turn down the thermostat and service your heating system

By just turning down the thermostat by 1°C, you can make a saving. It is also a good idea to turn the heat from your boiler down to around 60°C. Set a timer on your thermostat to control when your heating is to come on, and have it on only when you need it. You can upgrade to a system you can manage remotely, which will help to keep on top of your usage. Don’t heat empty rooms, turn radiators and heating systems off and keep doors closed. Have your boiler checked annually, radiators bled to improve efficiency and ensure to insulate pipes.

Switch off appliances rather than using standby

Appliances left on standby use a great deal of electricity, especially televisions, games consoles, and computer screensavers. Some things will need to be left on such as programme recording devices, but others are sapping energy for no reason when not in use.

Run full washing machines and dishwashers, and use the tumble dryer less

When you’re washing clothes or the dishes wait until you have full loads and run on lower temperatures and on shorter cycles. Tumble dryers use a great deal of energy, so aim to use them outside of peak hours and try to air dry more items.

Switch off lights

If you don’t already do so, now is a good time to get into the habit of switching off lights behind you as you leave a room and replace bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. For garden lighting, it may be worth considering replacing them with solar powered LED lights.

Swap bath time for a quick shower

A short shower uses a lot less water than filling a bathtub, a five-minute shower uses around two thirds less water than a bath. Consider installing a smart shower, which can help to manage the temperature of your shower and reduce water consumption.

Light a log fire

A log fire can let out an astonishing amount of heat, if you think once upon a time a fire was the only way to heat some of the properties we still reside in today. If there are rooms that are not used, close the doors and focus on heating the living space you are using.

Insulate your home

Older homes that haven’t been updated struggle to keep the heat in compared to new eco-friendly homes, you will see this through the energy rating of your home. There are ways to increase your insulation to reduce heat from escaping. Block off gaps around doors, invest in thick curtains, caulk holes, and insulating the loft are just a few ways you can help to keep your home warm.

If you’ve got a pool, run the pump outside of peak hours

As you will know, your pool needs maintaining. To save costs when it comes to your pool, run the pump at night avoiding the peak electricity hours, turn the thermostat down during the week if you only use it at weekends and invest in a good pool cover. The pool cover will help to reduce heat escaping. Hire a good pool care company to advise if you need to upgrade your system to a more energy efficient one.

Generate your own electricity

Making an invest in generating your own energy can reward you also. You can add to your home things such as solar water heaters and electricity generating solar panels, and you may just be paid back for the energy you can provide to the grid. If you invest in top-of-the-line solar panels this can increase the value of your home.

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If you are thinking of moving to the area or buying a property to rent, make sure you take a look at our amazing portfolio of Properties for sale in Virginia Water and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to speak to someone about Properties to let in Virginia Water, a member of our expert team would be happy to help. You can call us on 01344 843000 or email us. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.