Top tips for saving energy and cutting bills this Christmas
CHRISTMAS may be an expensive time of year but with a few simple energy-saving tricks, there’s no need to be out of pocket when it comes to heating and lighting bills.
Whether you’re on your own or having friends and family to visit, it’s likely that you’ll be spending a lot of the break indoors.
However, creating a warm and comfortable home shouldn’t mean a huge drain on your finances.
1) Decorate wisely
The Energy Saving Trust recommends using LED lights rather than incandescent Christmas decorations, which can use up to 90 per cent more energy than the more energy efficient option.
If you’re going to use Christmas decorations in the garden, think about solar-powered fairy lights which won’t add to your electricity bill.
2) Turn off standby
Leaving electrical devices such as laptops, TVs and games consoles on standby wastes both energy and money.
It’s estimated that by unplugging all devices not in use could save around £30 a year. Also don’t forget that tablets use around 70 per cent less power than a lot of laptops.
3) Keep out the chill
Draught-proofing windows and doors could save up to £35 a year. Invest in a draught excluder and if possible, move any heavy furniture away from radiators to allow heat to circulate throughout the room.
4) Wash at 30 degree
By washing your clothes at a slightly lower temperature, you could save around 40 per cent in energy usage.
While it’s really tempting to try and keep on top of things during the festive period, running the dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer when it’s half empty is very wasteful.
5) Insulate for comfort and protection
Achieve a more comfortable home environment and cut heating bills by insulating your property.
If your roof hasn’t got insulation, you could be losing around a quarter of the heat in your home. Make sure any exposed pipework is insulated to avoid burst pipes, and check that your walls have adequate insulation too.
It’s a good idea to call in the professionals and use high quality insulation materials such as spray foam to ensure heat remains locked in your home. Inferior materials can absorb moisture and make problems such as damp and mould even worse.
For more information about spray foam insulation, call 01782 756995 or click here to request a call back.