8 Ways To Save Money On Your Energy Bills
Have you ever received an energy bill and been too afraid to open it? You have a flashback of the last few months and realise that you blasted the heater straight through Winter so you could bake like a lizard in your home while the outside world shivered. It was so worth it at the time, but then you get the bill.. and there it is... the consequences of your actions. You curse the fact that existing is so expensive and then you start wondering how you're going to prevent getting a bill that high EVER again. Well lucky for you, you've come to the right place. Today, I'm going to share with you some tips to bring down those energy bills, and don't worry, there's no need to throw away your heater.
Here are 7 helpful tips to help you reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills.
1. Get a good deal
First things first, you need to make sure you're getting a good deal on your electricity and gas. It's important to look at the rates charged by gas and electricity companies as each supplier will charge differently. It can be confusing to figure out the best provider for you, so it can help to use a comparison site.
It also pays to review your deal each year to make sure you're still getting the best price. If not, you can call your supplier and negotiate a better deal with them.
2. Energy efficient appliances
When shopping for new appliances like fridges, washing machines, dishwashers etc, make sure you take into account the energy rating of the appliances. A higher energy rating means the appliance is more energy efficient. This means it will cost you less money to run.
3. Hang out your clothes
Clothes dryers are very convenient but they do use a lot of power. If the weather allows, consider hanging out your clothes to dry instead.
4. Turn off unused appliances
There's really no need to have the television on when nobody's even in the room.
When you leave the house remember to turn off any heaters or air-conditioners, TVs, computers, radios etc.
Leaving appliances on when nobody's using them definitely adds up on your bills.
5. Set the thermostat
In winter it's best to set the temperature of your heater to 17-19 degrees celsius. Every degree more than that will affect your gas/electricity bill depending on the type of heater you have.
In Summer, set your air conditioner between 25-27 degrees celsius.
It can also help to close off rooms that aren't being used so the heater/air-conditioner doesn't have to work as hard.
6. Replace your lights
Switching to energy efficient lightbulbs is a fast and easy way to save on your power bills. Replacing halogen, incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps with LED's can save up to 80% off your lighting costs.
7. Shorter wash cycles
Instead of running your dishwasher after each meal, or turning the washing machine on for a handful of clothes, wait until you have a full load before using them. You can also set your dishwasher and washing machine to use a shorter wash cycle. The less time your appliances are running for = less energy consumption = cheaper bills!
8. Time your showers
Do you love to have a nice long shower at the end of the day? Whether you're enjoying the acoustics or just getting lost in shower thoughts, those long showers are costing you. Shorter showers will drastically reduce your hot water costs, aswell as save water and energy. Set a timer and aim to shower in under 5 minutes.
Final thoughts
Saving energy is not only great for saving money, but it has a positive impact on the environment as well. It's win-win!
If you are experiencing hardship and find yourself struggling to pay your energy bills, you can contact your energy supplier for help. They can offer payment plans and support services.
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