Energy Saving Tips Plymouth

Energy saving tips from Tailored Heat

With the current cost of living crisis, everyone’s feeling the pinch right now. And whilst it might be summertime and the central heating may be switched off, there are still lots of things you can do to stay comfortable in your home whilst cutting your energy bills.

In this blog, we’ve put together our top 10 energy saving tips to help you save energy and money. Some suggestions do involve splashing out cash upfront, but the potential savings mean you’ll be quids-in over the longer term. You’ll be helping to protect the environment, too – bonus!

1. Switch to low energy light bulbs
Swapping just one standard light bulb for a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) fitting will reduce your home’s greenhouse gas emissions by a massive 400lbs. You’ll use 66% less energy too. Oh, and don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave a room!

2. Be a cannier cook
Cooking food in bulk is a great way to save energy as you’ll need less oven time and can freeze the extra portions for busy days when you don’t have time to cook. Reheat the meals in the microwave, as this uses half the energy of a standard oven. Consider investing in other low-energy appliances too, such as a halogen oven, slow cooker, air fryer or steamer. If it’s a hot day, get that BBQ fired up!

3. Chill out this summer
Keep your fridge and freezer seals clean and defrost your freezer regularly, if needed. Aim to keep both appliances at least 2/3 full, as this means there’ll be less air that needs cooling. Unless there’s a heatwave on, don’t keep fridge temperatures unnecessarily low – experiment with the settings to find one that’s just cool enough.

4. Dial down the heat
Washing machines and dishwashers are power-hungry, so changing how you use them will save you some cash. Set your washing machine to a lower temperature (150 or 30o) and use the eco setting on your dishwasher. If you have an Economy 7 meter, use timers to take advantage of the cheaper night rate. And to reduce water use, wait until your appliances are full before switching them on, or use the half load setting.

5. Hang it out to dry
Your tumble drier might seem like a godsend in the winter, but do you really need it during the summer months? It not only emits 2-3kg of carbon for every hour it’s switched on, but also costs you around £1.30 per hour at May 2023 electricity prices. So, make the most of warm or windy weather and hang your clothes out to dry. Or use an indoor airer with a window open to avoid condensation.

6. Invest in insulation
You might be surprised to know that insulating your home helps you stay cooler in hot weather, as well as warmer during the winter. Whilst most UK homes don’t have air conditioning, most of us do have central heating – and insulating your loft and walls is the single biggest thing you can do to reduce your energy bills over the year.

7. Take control with your programmer
There’s no point heating your home or hot water when not needed. Your heating is probably off for the summer now, but think about how much hot water your household uses and at what times of day. For example, if a couple both shower in the morning and then go to work, heating the water for an hour or two first thing may be enough in the week. Use the programmer to automatically adjust weekend timings to suit your needs.

If your routine varies day-to-day, consider investing in smart controls you can operate remotely using an app. These let you turn your heating and hot water on and off from anywhere with an Internet connection. So, if you’re unexpectedly delayed, or plan to come home earlier than usual, your home will be ready for you.

8. Take it further with thermostats
Get ready for a warmer, more comfortable winter by fitting Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) now. The latest types, known as eTRVs, are linked to your smart controls and let you set and change the temperature of each radiator from any location. Other money-saving features can include occupancy and environmental sensors, which automatically reduce the temperature if no one is in the room, or if the eTRV detects natural heat from the sun.

9. Stay on the ball with servicing and maintenance
Get your boiler and other gas appliances serviced once a year to keep them working safely and efficiently. (This is also necessary to keep your warranties valid.) If you noticed a decline in your central heating’s performance last winter, you may need a power flush to get rid of sludge and other debris which can bump up your bills by around 25%.

The summer months are the ideal time for getting all this done, as your local Tailored Heat engineers will be less busy with breakdowns – and you won’t get any nasty shocks when the heating goes back on in a few months’ time. For preferential rates on power flushes and other services, and to spread the cost of your annual boiler service, why not take out a Tailored Heat Boiler Care Plan? Perfect for peace of mind, all year round!

10. Out with the old, in with the new
Older boilers and radiators are a lot less efficient than new, modern models and could be a serious drain on your wallet next winter. Replacing them is a big expense, but you’ll see a return on your investment over time, as well as benefiting the environment as new boilers release less carbon. To find out more about how buying a boiler could save you money, read this blog "Why buying a new boiler could save you money" from Tailored Heat.

Help is on hand in Devon and Cornwall from Tailored Heat
Your local Tailored Heat engineers in Devon and Cornwall are always happy to offer information or advice on using energy more efficiently in your home. To discuss your requirements or book an engineer visit, please give us a call on 0800 689 1826 or drop us an email. If you’re interested in a new boiler, it’s quick and easy to request a boiler quote online at our website. We look forward to helping you soon!