Electrical contractor shares energy-saving tips in prep for price cap rising
Energy Bills
Worried about your electric bill? You're not alone!
Perform Electrical Services Ltd can help you save money on your electricity bills and help the environment at the same time. We have many tips to share with you that will make a big difference.
Saving money is always a good thing, but saving money and helping the environment is even better. That's what we're all about here at Perform Electrical Services. We want to help you save as much money as possible while doing our part to make sure our planet stays healthy for future generations.
Smart Meters
Do you know how much energy you use each day? How much energy does your tumble dryer use? Smart meters are a great way to save money on your electric bill. A smart meter lets you to track your electricity usage in real-time, so you can see where you're using the most power and make changes to reduce your consumption, and save electricity, reducing your annual energy bill. Your energy supplier should be able to install a smart meter free of charge. This could be done at the same time as you look at your energy tariff.
Unplug unused electronics
One of the best way energy saving tips is to unplug electronics when you're not using them. Televisions, DVD players, computers, and other electronics use a lot of power when they're plugged in, even if they're turned off. By unplugging them, you can save a lot of money on your electric bill.
TV
How often do you have the TV on in the living room? The typical British person watched 22 hours and 36 minutes of TV in the second week of January 2020. During Christmas, people spend an average of 25 hours and 45 minutes in front of the TV.
With over 22.5 hours of TV watched by the average household per week in 2020, it can be one of the biggest energy-using appliances in the whole house.
Consider the size and sort of screen you'll want when purchasing a new TV. While the general trend is to acquire the biggest screen you can afford, if you're concerned about energy consumption, it's worth noting that an energy-efficient 32-inch LCD television uses 50 percent less power than a 42-inch plasma screen TV.
As a general rule, the smaller your TV, the less it will cost you to run. Also, keep an eye on the type of television and how long it's been on the market as this can make a difference. More efficient models are being released as time goes on.
Turning off your TV is a great way to be more energy efficient. If you're not going to be watching it for a while, turn it off at the wall. Turning down the brightness on your TV can also help. Factory settings are usually brighter than they need to be for a household setting.
Computers and Laptops
Laptops are much smaller than a desktop so they use less power. You can save a lot of energy by shutting down your computer when you're not using it.
If you have a desktop computer, you can save some energy by putting it to sleep when you're not using it, but it is always better where possible to turn it off completely. You can also could save by making sure your computer is in a well-ventilated area, as the fans won't have to work as hard.
Mobile Phones
Charging a mobile phone during the night can use a lot of energy. Charging it just once can use as much energy as leaving a light on for an hour. If you do need to charge your phone at night, try to use a power strip with a switch that you can turn off when you're not using it.
Some mobile companies that offer wireless charging, offer a base that turns off when the phone is fully charged to save energy. Please note, they don't turn off fully so it is still cheaper to switch off the charger at the wall. The battery life is also reduced if you overcharge something, so you will also save cash as your phone may last longer.
Smart Plugs and Timer Switches
Energy-efficient smart plugs and timer switches are an excellent methods to save money. A smart plug is a plug that you can control with your phone. You can turn it on or off, or set a schedule for it. This is a great way to make sure things like your TV or computer aren't using power when they're not in use.
Timer switches are a great way to make sure lights aren't on when they're not needed. You can set them to turn on and off at certain times of the day, or even set them to turn on and off based on how much light is in the room.
Adjust your thermostat
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to adjust your thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, you can save up to 3% on your heating bill.
Install a programmable thermostat
If you’re not comfortable or think you might just forget to adjust your thermostat manually, consider installing a programmable thermostat. These thermostats can be programmed to adjust the temperature automatically based on your schedule. Once the program has been setup, you can forget about it and save energy without even trying.
Use a smart thermostat
If you want to take your energy savings to the next level, consider using a smart thermostat. Your thermostat may be smart enough to switch off automatically when it sees that you've left. They can do everything a programmable thermostat can do, but they also can learn your habits and adjust the temperature accordingly. This means that your home will be comfortable at all times, and you’ll still be saving energy.
Turn down thermostatic radiator valves
By turning valves down in empty rooms, you are helping to do a number of things. It will help regulate the temperature in your home, use less energy and save you money on your heating bills.
Close curtains and blinds
Windows are a major source of heat loss, so closing curtains and blinds can help keep the heat in your home. You can also consider using thermal blankets or panels on the windows to help stop heat escaping.
Switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs
One of the simplest things you can do to save energy is switch to LED light bulbs. LED bulbs use much less electricity than both traditional bulbs and energy-saving light bulbs and last much longer. The reason for this, is they produce less heat, which is wasted energy.
For a standard 100W bulb, to get a similar amount of light you would need roughly a 10-15W LED bulb. This means you can get 6-10 bulbs using less electricity than one bulb. You can also get a timer for your lights, so they turn off automatically when you don’t need them.
Remember to turn off lights when you leave a room
Leaving lights on when you’re not using them is a waste of energy and money. Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you leave a room. If you're in a room with multiple lights, think about whether you need them all on, or if you can manage with just a selection?
Take advantage of natural light whenever possible
Whenever possible, take advantage of natural light. You can do this by opening curtains and windows, or by using light coloured walls and furniture to reflect light.
Doing the laundry
There are a few ways to save energy when doing the laundry. One is to only wash when you have a full load. Another is to use the cold water cycle, whenever possible. And finally, make sure your dryer filters are properly cleaned.
Wash clothes in cold (or cool) water
This is a great way to save on your electric bill and it also helps the environment. Heating water accounts for a large percentage of the energy used in a home, so washing clothes in cold or cool water could save you a lot on your annual energy bills.
If you have to use hot water to wash your clothes, try to only use it as much as you need.
Line dry your clothes
Clothes dryers account for a large percentage of the energy used in a home, so line drying your clothes is a great way to save energy. Not only will you save on your electric bill, but you'll also help reduce pollution.
Take shorter showers
Showers use a lot of water and they also use a lot of energy, so taking shorter showers can help reduce your water usage, and save on your water meter. If you have an electric shower this is especially important, as an electric power shower uses a lot of energy! You can get a shower timer to help reduce how long you are in for.
Install a water-efficient shower head
A low-flow showerhead can help you take even shorter showers and it will also save you on your water bill. As there is less water needing to be heated, you'll also see a noticeable difference in your gas and electricity bills.
Solar Panels
There are many reasons to install solar panels on your home. You might want to save money on your electric bill, help the environment, or make money by selling excess power back to the grid. Whatever your reason, solar panels are a great way to save energy and money on your Electricity Bill. They can reduce your electric bill by 50% or more. In some cases, you might even be able to eliminate your electric bill completely.
Save Energy
With electricity prices going up suddenly shortly, hopefully by doing some of the energy-saving tips above can save you a lot of money on your electricity bill. Making a few changes to your daily routine can have a big impact in the long run - so start saving today!
Jack and our friendly team at Perform Electrical Services Ltd would be happy to help you save energy and money in your home or office. Give us a call today on 01934 707 142 to find out more.