Save Electricity And Money With These Simple Tips

A recent report from MORE TH>N has looked at the average running cost of five properties of varying sizes across 72 towns throughout the UK. It was discovered that 28% of people spend more on their monthly bills than they do on their mortgage. On average the annual cost of gas and electricity in a household is £1,345.20, so it could be worth looking at how you could save electricity.

Using less electricity mean more money in your pocket at the end of each month and a significant annual saving. As well as that, the less electricity you use, the better it is for the environment. Small changes in your usage habits can equal big savings. And while it may not seem easy to save electricity to begin with, these things will soon become second nature.

Here are 10 ways to save electricity and money:

Turn Off The Lights

An obvious way to save electricity is to turn off unnecessary lights. Begin to consider whether it’s really necessary to switch the lights on before you do it. Could you just open the curtains instead? And of course, get into the habit of flicking the light switch off when you leave a room.

Use Natural Light

When the sun is shining, make use of it and throw open the curtains to let natural light pour in. Plus, if you’re lucky enough, you’ll see a lovely view through your window as well. Rooms lit by the sun rather than a light bulb are the setting for increased productivity and comfort. Working in daylight results in a boost in your mood, a calmer environment and of course, a reduced electricity bill.

Take Shorter Showers

Hot water doesn’t come cheap and cutting your shower time by just a few minutes will add up to a big difference. Not only will it save you time, cutting down on your shower time by just a few minutes can save over ten gallons of water. And when it comes to cost, managing director of Waterwise,  Nicci Russell says; ‘Knocking a couple of minutes off the time you spend in the shower will save you £40 a year. That can add up to £160 for a family of four.’

Unplug Unused Electronics

Leaving your electronics on standby might be more convenient for you in some ways, but it’s actually resulting in your paying more for your energy bill at the end of each month. With statistics estimating that 10% of your monthly energy bill is made up of standby power, it’s definitely worth turning them off properly after use.

Switch To A Laptop

Though it varies depending on the computer or laptop in question, laptops generally consume a staggering 80% less electricity than desktop computers. Switching to a laptop once your desktop needs replacing will certainly save electricity and money in the long run.

Lower Your Heating

Almost 50% of the money you pay out on your energy bill comes from heating and hot water costs. If you were to turn the thermostat down by just one degree, you could save up to £80 each year.

Reduce Kitchen Heat

Opting for fresher foods over frozen can mean using your oven and microwave much less and therefore, resulting in a saving of money as well as electricity. Take advantage of the summer months where fresh fruit and vegetables are in abundance.

Wash Full Loads

Rather than washing clothes as and when, wait until your washing basket has enough in it to fill a load. The same goes for your dishwasher. Wait until it’s full of plates, cups and cutlet before turning it on. Fuller loads mean fewer loads have to be done. Not only will this save electricity, water and money, but time as well.

Hang Laundry To Dry

When it’s possible, opt to dry your laundry outside in the sun rather than in the tumble dryer. If that’s not possible, use clothes drying racks indoors and in colder months, place them near radiators. Tumble dryers are third on the list when it comes to costly home appliances, just behind the washing machine and fridge.

Turn Water Off

A simple way of saving electricity and water is to turn the water off when shaving and brushing teeth and find yourself cutting your hot water usage by around 5%.

Saving electricity doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated, it can be as simple as flicking a switch or not doing laundry as often. It’s important to be mindful of the amount of electricity you’re using. If you really want to up your electricity saving game, you could consider renewable energy sources such as solar panels for your home. Otherwise, slight cutbacks are a great step in the right direction and not just for your bank account.