How to Change Your Energy Habits

Whether you’re looking to improve the part you play in saving the planet or to increase what’s in the bank at the end of the month, small choices around the house can really help to lower your energy consumption. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to make drastic changes, start with small steps for now because even those will play a huge part in being more energy efficient.

Heating

Heating is one of the largest energy eaters in the home, but there’s a few tricks to help take better control of your heating systems, decrease your energy usage, and reduce your carbon footprint.

• Make sure your doors and windows are closed properly when the heating is turned on. This way the heat won’t escape and will reduce the amount of time the heating needs to be switched on.
• Close curtains and blinds to help keep the heat in the room. It’s a good idea to invest in heavy curtains as opposed to blinds as they retain heat a lot better.
• Make sure you dress for the weather. Are you usually the coldest in the house? Instead of putting the heating on straight away, make sure you’re dressed correctly for the cold temperatures.
• Don’t leave the heating on whilst you’re in bed or out of the house. Use timer settings to make sure the house is warm and cosy when you wake up or arrive back home.
• Double check that your house is properly insulated. Check for gaps or cracks around your doors and windows.

Water

It’s predicted that generating hot water actually uses 25% of an average household’s energy usage. Little changes to your energy habits in the water department will not only help to save you money, but also help in making your home eco-friendly.

• Turn the tap off whilst you brush your teeth.
• Time your showers and reduce the amount of time you spend in them.
• Look for any leaks and have them fixed right away.
• Only use the dishwasher or washing machine if they’re full. When using the washing machine, opt for the economy cycle washes.
• Invest in smart shower heads to monitor your water usage.
• Fill the kettle to the amount of water you actually need or if you fancy a cold glass of water instead of letting the tap run, always have a jug of water in the fridge.

Lighting

Lighting in houses are one of the highest energy eating machines, so trying to change your lighting habits will really help your bank balance.

• Turn off any lights when you leave the room or leave the house.
• Invest in energy efficient light bulbs, solar lighting, or both.
• Take advantage of natural light where possible.
• Use light timers or motion-sensored lighting systems.

Around The House

You’ll be surprised at how much of an impact everyday habits have on your energy consumption. Even the smallest of things can make a big difference in the amount of energy your household uses.

• Unplug any appliances when they’re not being used. Even though they may be on standby mode, they are still using energy. Check if the appliances have an energy saving mode and always select that option.
• Try not to open the oven door whilst cooking. It lets heat out and then the oven needs to use more energy to get back to the correct temperature.
• Where possible use a microwave instead of your electric oven as they actually use up half the energy compared to oven cooking.
• When cooking, use the most efficient methods such as cooking with pots that have correctly fitting lids, simmering instead of boiling, reusing boiling water, and overall cooking efficiently.
• Say no to the tumble dryer and opt for hanging your clothes on a line.
• Set your fridge between 3°C and 5°C and try not to overload the fridge or freezer.

Get Changing

Making little changes really does make a difference and you don’t have to do anything too drastic to reduce your energy consumption levels. If you have little ones running around take a look at how they can get involved in saving energy, too.
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