Rising energy bills have been a chief concern for households since the first signs of a steep price increase in late 2021. With the price cap set to rise again by around 80%, the situation is dire for many families across the country. While the country waits for government intervention, what are some individual steps you can take to reduce your home’s energy usage?
Energy-Efficient Appliances
For many, the vast majority of their energy usage will result from the use of power-hungry appliances, such as dishwashers, washer-dryers, and fridge-freezers. Older appliances are less efficient and can rack up significant costs over the year – especially when it comes to ‘always-on’ appliances like the fridge.
With some careful up-front expenditure, you can replace your appliances with modern versions that use less energy to operate. While the initial cost of replacement may be relatively high, it will offset your long-term energy usage and potentially save hundreds on your annual bill.
Home Insulation
It is not just your active energy usage that impacts your annual utility expenditure; it is also crucial to consider the passive factors that can influence your spending. Your home’s insulation has perhaps the biggest single impact on your home’s energy usage, as it improves the efficiency of your heating system.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, cavity wall insulation can save up to £480 per year on energy costs associated with heating your home. This is a major reduction, and one not to be ignored. For older homes with solid walls, there are cladding solutions that can approximate the same results.
Alternative Energy and Heat Sources
Not only can you reduce the cost burden of your home’s energy appliances and heating systems, but you can also seek different sources for both energy and heat. These sources can offset the cost of energy from the National Grid, or even eliminate the cost.
One such method for achieving this can be found in solar panels for home installation. Solar panels convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy and can be installed in your garden or on your roof. Together with a battery pack, a solar panel array can answer your electricity needs – and even allow you to earn money by supplying the grid with ‘spare’ power.
Another method addresses home heating. Ground- or air-source heat pumps extract heat from outside the property and pump it via water around the home, enabling cheap heating through minimal use of electricity to power the pump.
Changing Habits
Lastly, there are ways in which you can address your habits to bring down your household’s energy usage. For one, appliances and devices should be turned off at the wall outlet as opposed to left on standby. You can reduce your hot water usage by using a basin to hand-wash dishes as opposed to a running tap or dishwasher, and also by limiting your washing to showers as opposed to baths.
