We have seen a more significant impact on prices globally after the COVID-19 pandemic. The prices are increasing at a whopping rate, whether on food, fuel, or any household items. It’s almost impossible for any household to pay rent, energy bills, and utilities.
Regarding utility bills, it takes a significant chunk of savings and even more out of your pocket. It’s not just you facing such problems in winter when heating bills take a toll. There- are plenty of ways to reduce your utility and energy bills. If you have been facing the issue for quite some time, you can apply for a heat pump grant available under the ECO4 scheme UK. The UK government funds the scheme to help reduce fuel poverty, lower carbon emissions, cut energy bills and facilitate low-income households.
However, keep in mind that you are only eligible if you are receiving benefits from the government such as housing benefits, child benefits, universal credit, pension saving credit, or working tax credit.
Whether you are eligible for the ECO4 scheme or not, you can lower your utility bills by taking the tips into consideration. Let’s have a look at it.
Hire a Professional for Energy Audit
Lowering your energy bills takes a toll. Everyone wants to feel cozy, comfortable, and warm in severe cold. But that comes with a price you must pay for using a heating . However, you may not realize that your heating might be working perfectly. But some places in your house need to be fixed immediately to keep the warmth inside and lower your heating consumption.
To analyze those areas, you must hire a professional to audit your home thoroughly. The professional will guide you about air leaks, poor insulation, and inefficient appliances. Moreover, he will also guide you to take the necessary steps to fix those issues. You can save as much as 30% on energy bills by fixing those issues.
Unplug Appliances Not in Use
Households are equipped with appliances that are used almost every day. However, these appliances can consume a lot of energy when in an idle state and can account for a 10% rise in energy use, ultimately leading to increased utility bills.
Look around your house what appliances and equipment are plugged in, but not used. Some everyday items include coffee makers, cable boxes, microwaves, and charging cables. Make sure to unplug all those items before going to bed. By doing this, you can save much on your utility bills.
Minimize Hot Water Usage
Energy bills can surge due to many reasons including heating water. It takes a lot of energy to heat the water, leading to 20% of home energy use. That does not mean you freeze up by taking a cold water bath and fall sick.
For instance, you can use cold water to wash your clothes. In the past, hot water was used to wash clothes for better cleaning. But today, detergents and washing powders perform well at any temperature. In addition, make sure to set your boiler’s temperature to a minimum for low energy consumption and reduced energy bills.
Use Dishwasher for Washing Utensils
Another way to save on utility bills is using the dishwasher to wash utensils and other kitchen items. If you manually clean your dishes, you may use up to 27 gallons of hot water daily. However, using the dishwasher for washing dishes may use only 6 gallons per cycle. If you use an old dishwasher, replace it with a new one. The reason is that older models use 16 gallons of water per load. And that would all reflect in your energy bills.
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Using Appliances Until They Are Full
A big blow on energy bills is reflected when you use appliances unwisely. For instance, if you are using your dishwasher to wash a few dishes instead of loading them entirely, you may use the same amount of energy as that when full. Similarly, when cleaning your clothes, you may wait a few more days until the washing machine is fully loaded. These tips will help you cut energy bills and promote an eco-friendly environment.
Turning off the Heating and Cooling System when not in Use
Utility bills will blow greatly, especially if you are not using heating and cooling appliances wisely. The best way to control utility bills is to use heating and cooling s when needed. Keeping it turned on even after you feel comfortable may raise energy bills.
The intelligent approach is installing a smart thermostat to control heating and cooling s better. One of the benefits of installing a smart thermostat is that you can control the temperature remotely and schedule it to your desired temperature. Moreover, smart thermostats are also helpful in monitoring your energy usage, which can be controlled by limiting the usage and turning it off when not in use.
Change/Wash Filters Regularly
Air conditioners and heating s have filters that keep the dust out of homes. However, if you do not regularly change or wash your filters, they may accumulate dust and dirt. Accumulation of dirt and dust may decrease its performance, consume more energy, and raise the bills.
Summing Up
Utility bills are undoubtedly the biggest money minters at the end of each month. If you are careless in using your appliances and other electrical items, you may end up paying higher bills and empty your bank account.
Applying the aforementioned tips lets you control your energy and utility bills. Not only do these tips help manage accounts. But they also promote an eco-friendly environment. Act responsibly and play your role in conserving energy and the planet.