Good news: we have passed mid January, traditionally, the most depressing time of the year! With the damp, cold weather and bills to pay after Christmas, we are all looking forward to the end of the month. We thought it would be a good to time to look at ideas on how to save energy and to reduce your bills.
With a few minor changes to your domestic routine and making some small changes at home we believe we can save you some money this winter. Here are our ideas:
Thermostat control: By turning your main thermostat down by 1 degree, it is widely quoted that you can save around 10% on your energy bill. This comes with a warning, however, so ensure you are warm enough with extra clothing and that your home is warm enough during exceptionally cold weather, or if you are unwell. Having a cold home can be bad for your health.
Draught-proofing: Ensure your windows, doors and gaps in wooden flooring are draft proofed. It is cost effective to buy draft proof products from your local hardware shop and makes for an easy way to reduce your heating bills by keeping the warm air in and the cold air out.
Closing curtains at Dusk: Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows and check for draughts around windows and doors. Shutting your curtains at dusk could reduce heat loss by 15-17%.
Spending one minute less in the shower: When it’s cold, there is nothing better than running a hot bath or getting into a warm shower. Reducing the time you run the water, however, will reduce your energy consumption. For a family of 4 its predicted you could save up to £75 per year running the shower for 1 minute less each day.
Taps: Make sure none of your taps are running when not in use. A running tap wastes more than 6 litres of water every minute. When brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face, ensure you turn the tap off. If your tap is dripping, investigate replacing the washer.
Shower head type: An efficient shower head could save a household of four people around £70 a year on your gas bill and around £115 on your water bill. Efficient shower heads reduce the water consumption used by using a flow regulator and restrictor.
Using what you need: Rather than filling the sink, why not purchase a smaller washing up bowl? Can you reduce your washing machine usage by saving up the washing until it’s a full load? Running your wash on a shorter cycle and lower temperature will also reduce cost. If you are making a cup of tea for 1, only fill the kettle with the water you need.
At Carshalton Boilers we offer advice and assistance on all your plumbing and heating needs. Click here to get in touch or call us today on 0208 3958060.
