Energy Savings Tips

The cost of running a home can be quite significant, so when there are opportunities to bring the price down, we like to jump on them. Also, the conservation of energy is critical not only in terms of money, but it is also crucial for helping the environment. When you use less power, you, in turn, reduce your demands on energy supply. When less energy is used, we can help to conserve the Earth’s natural resources, as well as protecting ecosystems from destruction. In this blog, we share some of our energy-saving tips so that you can save money and help the environment.

How Much Energy Does the Average UK Household Use?

The average UK household spends £1,254 a year on heating and power. The average home that contains four occupants use around 13 electronic appliances, including TVs and laptops. In comparison to back in 1990, the same sized household only used four appliances. Even though we have significantly increased the number of electronic appliances, we still use roughly the same amount of energy; this means that our gadgets are becoming more energy efficient. While this is an incredible statistic, there is still much room for improvement and measures we can take to reduce our energy consumption.

How to Save Gas

The easiest and most effective way to save gas is to upgrade your devices to more efficient models. Installing a smart thermostat can help you keep track of how much you have used; therefore, giving you more control over your gas usage. In addition to this, it is worth putting in place little extra methods such as; turn the heating down, draught-proof the property, use thermal curtains, only boil the amount of water you need, and use the correct size pan for the amount of cooking and use a lid as this will boil quicker.

How to Save Electricity 

There are numerous ways in which you can conserve the amount of electricity you use in your home. Replacing old appliances with more efficient models is perhaps the most effective method. Switch to energy-saving lightbulbs, use A+++ rated appliances and avoiding wasting power by switching off unused devices at the plug.

How to Save Energy

Here are some of our top tips on how to save energy in your home:

Turn Off Standby Appliances

As mentioned previously, it is important that when you aren’t using an appliance, that you turn it off at the plug. Some products can be set to turn off after a specified time, or you can turn off the plug via your phone to help you remember to unplug devices. Products vary but the general idea is either you control it via an app that is downloaded on your device or you can connect it to features such as Siri for Apple devices or Amazon Alexa smart home devices.

Install A Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are very intelligent devices that allow you to control your energy usage easily. For example, you can choose only to heat the rooms you are using at the time, rather than wasting energy in other rooms. They can learn how long it takes to heat your home so they can set it to the correct temperature at the right time. Smart thermostats are incredibly simple to use because you can control it from your phone, which means you will never have to come back to a cold home, all the while, you’re saving money!

Be Smarter About Water

A quick and easy way to save water is to use a washing up bowl rather than a running tap. You can also purchase efficient showerheads and use a water meter to control how much you use. A stricter method is to install a shower timer so that you can manage the amount of water you are using each time. A fun way of helping your children learn to be speedy in the shower, is get them to pick a ‘shower song’ play it on your phone, whilst they are showering, and they know that by the final verse they should be jumping out!

Well Insulate Your Property

Having a cold draught run through your home can cause the property to lose heat. Losing heat can lead to you cranking up the thermostat, which in turn, will cost you more money. So, instead of spending more pennies, go straight to the source and well insulate your home. You can start by sealing cracks on the floors and skirting boards, as well as lining your letterbox and blocking unused chimneys. If you don’t already have double glazing, you should highly consider replacing them in order to retain the heat in your home. Roof insulation is also an essential step in keeping your house warm. The installation can cost a significant sum of money, but it can save you a considerable amount in the future.

We hope that our tips will help you save energy, and in turn, save you money and help the planet. Here at Godfrey, Short and Squire, we have homes for sale in Okehampton and West Devon. If you would like to either find a home or sell one, we are more than happy to help. Here are just some of the reasons why you should use an estate agent! Get in contact with us, and we can help you with the process. Call us on 01837 54504 or email us at info@gssproperty.com.