Saving energy doesn’t have to be as painful as sunburn, nor does it have to cost much money or time. It has more to do with changing a few energy-wasting habits.
Here are four tips to help you save money on your energy bill:
- Use a microwave instead of an oven
Now we’re not advocating ready meals here – we are suggesting that instead of using your cooker to heat food, or your oven to bake potatoes, for example, use the microwave instead. Microwaves use less than half the power of a conventional oven and cook food in about one-fourth the time - Use the air-dry feature on dishwashers
Dishes will dry once the wash cycle has completed. Just open the door and leave for long enough to dry. If you need to use an item urgently then the old-fashioned dishcloth should do the job. - Use cold water rather than hot when doing laundry
Getting your whites bright and shiny doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune. And these days, most brands boast at getting whites really white even at 30 degrees celsius (no names mentioned!). So switch to the coldest wash and you will save about 85% of the energy it takes to wash clothes.Use washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers after 7pm – the last thing any working mum wants to do after a long slog at work is to start the washing, but it’s worth the hassle to save money on your energy bill. Washing after 7pm costs a lot less than daytime washing. You can also air dry overnight to save even more money.
- Switch to fluorescent lights
Fluorescent lights use one-third of the energy than incandescent lights do, which can add up if you’ve a family of young children who are quick to switch on lights in every room without thinking about the impact.Remember that appliances account for about 20% of your household’s energy consumption. A new energy-efficient refrigerator could save you about £50-100 a year compared to models of 15 years ago.
