With energy prices in the UK becoming an increasing financial burden, we thought we would provide some tips to try and help you lessen the impact of both your energy use and the cost.
We will be looking at the simple changes anyone can make without the need for costly installs such as double glazing, insulation, solar panels, and other energy-saving installations.
Water Consumption
We use it every day: we drink it, bathe in it, and it makes up 50–70% of our body weight. So how can we use less of it?
In an effort to chip away at the costs, we would advise installing a water-efficient showerhead. These often increase the water pressure, meaning you need less water for the same outcome.
Reducing shower time is another key saving tip. The optimal shower time should be around 4 minutes. For those of us who like to sing along to our favourite song while showering, that’s just over the average length of one track.
For those of us who enjoy baths, simply swapping these out for showers will cut down both water use and the costs of heating the water.
It’s not just lifestyle changes that can reduce water consumption. Simple habits like turning off the tap while you wash and lather your hands, or while brushing your teeth, both result in less usage and lower bills.
Electrical Consumption
With just over 2 million electric cars in the UK, those who are lucky enough to own an EV or hybrid use it to charge their cars. We use electricity to charge our phones, laptops, and navigate the darkest areas of the home. In fact, we use it every second of every day. So how can we ensure that we’re being the most effective energy users?
Electronic devices will continue to draw electricity when plugged in, even if they’re not in use and are on standby mode. The simple step of unplugging items such as phone, laptop, or tablet chargers, or kitchen appliances, will chip away at overall usage and reduce annual bills.
Usage adjustments will also reduce costs. These are as simple as using the kettle to boil water for cooking as opposed to boiling it in a pan from cold on the hob.
Running the dishwasher or washing machine when it is full, as opposed to partially full, is another simple tip to reduce energy usage, as it means fewer cycles.
Lighting
It’s often forgotten that it wasn’t until the 1920s that lights became a common installation in the UK. Prior to that, candlelight was the only available option.
Lighting upgrades are an easy-to-install, cost-saving step to reduce day-to-day consumption. Swapping out your old bulbs for LED types not only means your bulbs have a longer life, but also reduces consumption, thereby reducing cost.
Another simple habit: ensure that lights are turned off in rooms that aren’t being used. These small adjustments will soon add up to hefty savings.
Heating & Hot Water
Where would we be without this! Savings to heating and hot water are more about making adjustments to reduce overall consumption.
Reducing your boiler’s temperature to around the 60°C mark is going to result in savings on your bill, as is lowering the temperature in the home. The ideal level should be around 18°C to 21°C.
Whether that means adjusting the thermostat or turning the radiator valves, the small adjustment will soon pay off.
For any landlords or property investors reading this, it’s important to note that come 2030, all rental properties in the UK must meet a minimum EPC rating of C, as set out by the Labour Government’s manifesto. This adjustment will inevitably result in added upfront costs that should be carefully considered as part of any property purchase.
Through our Level 2 and Level 3 surveys, we not only advise on the more major defects of the property, but we also offer helpful, handy tips—similar to the ones we’ve set out in this article.
Our aim as surveyors is to ensure that your property purchase is smooth, with all of the facts being apparent and clear to you before proceeding.
We have an instant quote feature that will enable you to get a fixed cost for the property survey, along with timings to book the inspection and furnish you with the report.
