Many people are feeling the pinch of the rising cost of utilities and tight budgets at the moment. That’s why more and more families are struggling to pay their bills. But there are a few simple ways that you can save money on your utility bills.
Here are some helpful hints.
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Consolidate your devices
Consolidating your devices means connecting your home devices, such as your TV, computer, lights and appliances, to a single hub. Doing so could help you to save a significant amount each month because you’ll be able to take control of all of your devices from a single location. You can control your devices from your smartphone or computer, making it easy to check and turn off lights or other devices while you’re not using them, from wherever you are.
Update and automate your home lighting
Swapping outdoor lighting fixtures with more energy-efficient bulbs is a great way to save on your utility bill. Many outdoor lighting fixtures still use old, incandescent bulbs, which use far more energy than halogen (or, even better, LED light bulbs). You can drastically reduce your electricity bill by switching to more energy-efficient fixtures. For example, according to uswitch.com, halogen and LEDs use about a quarter of the energy that incandescent bulbs do.
With certain more modern fixtures installed, you can also build a smart home to automate these lights. With this system in place, you can turn your lights on remotely as you approach your house and turn them off when you leave, rather than keeping the lights on for an extended period of time. Plus, with most smart lighting fixtures, you can program them to turn on and off at certain fixed times. Both of these options allow you to reduce your overall lighting use and save money on your utility bill.
Re-evaluate your heating and cooling options
The summer months are a great time to re-evaluate your home cooling and heating options and make sure they’re energy efficient – especially your boiler. While it may be tempting to put off checking your boiler during the warmer months, it’s important to do it before it gets cold and your bills start going up.
Upgrading an old boiler with an A-rated, energy efficient one could save you hundreds of pounds a year, depending on the size and layout of your home. If your system is nearly 40 years old, then there’s a good chance that it’s too old for the current conditions in your home. This means that it’s more expensive for you to run, as older boilers have to work harder and burn more energy to heat up your home. If your house is fairly new, your system may already run efficiently, but it’s still a good idea to get your boiler regularly serviced by a licensed engineer. So, this summer, remember to check up on your boiler..
Bundle your services for savings
Even though energy prices are rising globally, some energy companies are still offering better deals than others.
A look at current deals on the open market reveals that Utility Warehouse’s one-year fixed energy deal is the cheapest fixed energy plan at the moment. It might be a winning choice over the next year.
Utility Warehouse, also known as UW, combines all of your home services into one monthly bill, including gas and electricity. They also provide broadband, mobile, and insurance, so you don’t have to deal with multiple providers, and offer savings when you bundle their services together.
Be clever with your energy use
The easiest way to reduce energy bills is to find ways to use less energy, as there is no need to change anything about your home. To instantly reduce the amount of energy that you use in your home, it’s a good idea to lower the temperature of your thermostat a little bit. Even turning it down by one degree can make a big difference over a year.
By following all of these tips together, you could save significant money on your utility bills and stay on top of the cost of living crunch.
