According to Statista, the UK’s electricity use has been declining since peaking at 357 terawatt-hours in 2005. It then fell to an all-time low of 266 terawatt-hours in 2023, proving that electricity consumption is on a steady, nationwide decline.
But why is this when, in 2025, we have more gadgets at our fingertips than ever? With 29.9 million homes around the UK, it’s hard to imagine the sheer number of laptops, TVs, and mobile phones plugged in at once.
Luckily, thanks to the efforts of clever manufacturers, these devices are at the peak of energy efficiency. But that doesn’t mean you should stop paying attention to your energy consumption.
That’s why Project Solar has put together some quick tips on how to reduce your energy bills. Quick fixes, like switching fittings off at the plugs, to more long-term strategies, like investing in solar power, should help to keep your home’s carbon footprint low.
Use the power of the sun!
Supplementing your home’s electricity supply with renewable energy is one of the smartest modifications a homeowner can make. Once activated, your panels will start converting sunlight into usable electricity!
Over 1 million homes have already taken the plunge, and why wouldn’t they when solar panels generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases?
As well as their obvious environmental benefits, solar panels can also improve your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. If, at any point, you decide to put your property on the market, you may see its value increase!
Don’t leave appliances on standby
We’re all guilty of leaving appliances on standby. When you’re rushing to leave the house, it may just be easier to keep them plugged in rather than switching them off at the wall.
But manually unplugging your appliances could save you a substantial amount of energy annually! After all, small amounts may add up over the course of a year.
If you know you’re too forgetful, consider investing in phone-controlled sockets, sockets with timers, or power strips where one switch controls all the plugs. These small changes will make sure you turn off your appliances!
Use a ‘smart’ thermostat
Smart thermostats learn when and where you want heat, and only turn on the heat for those times.
These clever devices let you adjust the temperature from any location at any time. So, if you’re heading home from work on a particularly chilly day and want to warm up the house, you can do so before even leaving the office!
Take some time to figure out the technology, and you’ll find you can save plenty of money by installing one of these useful machines.
Buy efficient appliances
In the UK, appliances are assigned energy efficiency ratings ranging from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G the least.
The system was updated in 2021 to simplify the previous scale, which included ratings like A+, A++, and A+++. The new labels provide homeowners with a clearer indication of an appliance’s energy performance.
If you’re shopping for new appliances, such as a freezer, dishwasher, or washer-dryer, look for ones that are on the higher end of the energy scale.
While these products may cost more up-front, these higher-end appliances consume less energy over time (which could translate into substantial savings!).
Block draughts
There are plenty of inexpensive ways to prevent cold draughts from penetrating your home. Put a draught excluder along the bottom of every door, add new linings to the edges of windows, and fill in any cracks or holes you’ve spotted around the house.
All of these small changes should slowly contribute to a higher indoor temperature (which may mean you don’t need to rely on central heating as much).
Similar to double glazing, draught blocking will also trap the heat indoors, so you get more heat per pound spent!
Roof insulation
It’s common for homeowners to shy away from committing to full loft insulation. For a proper job, you’ll need to hire experts to install the correct foam in the right corners. As such, it often comes with a high price tag.
But once the job is done, the energy savings you’ll recoup over time should leave you in profit, as roofs and lofts are full of hidden nooks, crannies and cracks which allow heat to escape.
Keep track of your usage
Get into the habit of reading your bills thoroughly, and consider keeping a simple diary of your electricity usage. Soon, you’ll be able to identify any patterns or trends that may be costing you valuable pennies!
Join the solar takeover!
Homeowners shouldn’t feel pressured to implement these energy-saving measures all at once. Learning how to reduce energy bills is a journey!
Start small, with draft excluders and insulation, before making bigger changes, like replacing old appliances with energy-efficient replacements and contacting a solar panel installer. Once you’ve decided it’s time to join the solar takeover, contact us to learn more.