Utility bills are a fact of life if you own an apartment. They can significantly eat into your income, which is why you should be conscious of how much you consume. The methods below will help you save hundreds of pounds each year on your electricity bill. They are practical and not difficult to implement.
Switch Electricity Supplier or Tariff
Utility companies usually have a base tariff and other tariffs. The latter is usually cheaper, by up to £290 in a year in some cases. Go for one of them. Most tariffs expire and you have to switch to avoid being automatically placed on the base tariff. Watch out for new tariffs by your utility company and their competition. Use tariff comparing tools to see the best deals you can get.
Choose The Right Payment and Billing Methods
After choosing the right supplier and tariff, you can save more by simply changing the ways you get your bills and make payments. Some utility companies charge extra for printing paper bills so manage your account online if possible. Using direct debit or online payment methods may score you a discount from your utility company. As an added bonus, you also don’t have to worry about missing payments.
Another way to save is by combining your gas and electricity bills. As it is most often the same company supplying the two, you could qualify for a discount for doing so.
Pay Attention to Your Thermostat
Your thermostat can save you some kWh if you pay attention to it. Just turning it down by one degree can save you about £80 in a year. Use smart thermostats as they give you more control over the temperature of your house. They learn your heat requirements and regulate accordingly. You can also control them remotely through smartphone apps, which means you can turn off the electric heater from work for example.
Get Efficient Implements
A combination of smart appliances and home improvement could mean you consume less electricity. For example, reducing the amount of heat escaping from your apartment could mean the meter reads slower. You can achieve this by draught-proofing and insulating your walls.
Switching to energy efficient home appliances will also save you some money. Use energy-saving LED bulbs as much as possible to save on lighting. It may require a small capital outlay but the savings in the long run is significant.
If you are using older appliances, chances are that they are consuming power more than is necessary. Newer models are usually more efficient. When purchasing a fridge, look out for one with high energy efficiency rating. They, like other home gadgets come with energy efficiency certificates. Choose the ones with A+++ ratings. Carefully selecting your appliances can save you £275 in a year.
Consciously Conserve Electricity
You have switched your appliances to energy efficient ones but you can still attempt to delay the needle on the electricity meter by making some lifestyle adjustments. Make it a habit to find new ways to conserve around the house. Here are few suggestions. Never mind that some of them look insignificant. The goal is to net you extra kWh here and there:
- Don’t leave the lights on in an empty room
- Open up the curtains during the day and let natural draft cool down the building, instead of the AC. Reverse the process during the winter to keep the heat in
- Put out your clothes to dry in the sun, instead of using the washing machine spinner
- Do not over boil water and do not boil water you don’t’ need
- Cover your pots when cooking. The food will get cooked faster, using less electricity if you cook on an electric stove
- Have more hot showers than hot baths. Also, take shorter showers
- Wear warm clothes rather than turning the heat on
Do Not Allow Gadgets to Be On Standby
Your gadgets consume energy if you leave them on standby. It may be tempting to leave your gaming rig on so you can quickly get back to where you stopped but you could be saving some kWh by shutting down completely. Turn off TVs, laptops, monitors when they are not in use.
Scrutinise Your Electricity Bill
You don’t want to be over billed so check your bills regularly. You might be overpaying without noticing if they are estimated. If there is ‘E’ next to the total, it is an estimate. Check the actual reading on your meter. If there is a discrepancy, inform your service provider who is obligated to refund you if you so desire or deduct it from future bills.
Go Green and Renewable Energy
Explore renewable energy options. Get on the solar trend and reduce the electricity rates of your household. You could also qualify for some government incentives in which you sell your excess energy back to the power grid.
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