December 21, 2022
So, how do tenants be more efficient? The cost-of-living crisis in the UK is creating an ever-increasingly worrying situation for families across the country. Along with rising rent and food prices, energy bills have been one of the most impactful rises.
Because of this, many people are looking for ways to reduce their energy usage to reduce their bills. So, what are the best steps to reduce your bills?
Know your tariff
First, it’s crucial to understand how your energy bills work. There have been a lot of headlines over the past 12 months claiming that bills would rise by a set amount. However, it’s important to note that how much you pay depends on how much you use, and any headlines like this are a price estimation based on an average family’s use. Therefore that may not be the exact amount that your bills rise by, and it does save you money to limit usage where possible.
It’s also important to check your tariff and how your energy works. Although it generally isn’t possible to switch to a cheaper deal than the standard variable at the moment, you may still be able to reduce your energy prices. The most affordable way to pay for your gas and electricity is by monthly direct debit – if you’re currently paying on receipt of bill, switching to direct debit may make your bills slightly cheaper.
Pre-payment meters also have considerably higher rates. If you have a pre-payment meter in your property, it may be worth asking for your landlord’s permission to replace this. Some energy providers will fit the new meter for free, saving you a considerable amount on your bills.
Ensure your home is sufficiently insulated
As we’re into the Winter months, one of the main worries is, of course, heating the home. One of the most common errors that people overlook is their insulation; if your home isn’t properly insulated, it isn’t going to retain heat well meaning that you are spending more to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
One of the main areas that a home loses heat is its windows. Even when closed, a glass window is much worse at preventing heat from escaping than brick walls. Keeping curtains closed when it’s dark can help counter this by adding an additional layer of insulation in front of the windows – however, remember to open your curtains during hours of sunlight, as this will allow the home to take advantage of the natural heat from the sun.
Keeping doors closed in the house also helps keep the warmth in the rooms you want.
Energy usage in the kitchen
Cooking generally uses a lot of gas or electricity, so cooking more efficiently is a great way to lower your energy bills.
Slow cookers and air fryers are both great options for a more energy-efficient meal. If you already own one of these, using them rather than an oven or hob can help to lower your bills, however, it may not work out cheaper, in the long run, to go out and purchase these unless you plan to use them regularly.
Defrosting food overnight is a good method to avoid microwave usage.
When using your oven, leaving the oven door open after you’re finished with it will help to heat your home.
When using your hob, keeping it clean can ensure it’s working fully efficiently, using a pan the correct size for the food you’re cooking can prevent energy wastage, and keeping the lid on when boiling food also uses less energy.
It can also be efficient to cook more than enough food for one meal, meaning you can save the rest to reheat it for another meal.