Save Money on Your Energy Bills

By: Leanne Williams
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:17:39
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It is unlikely that you can have missed the news stories, which are cropping up with frightening regularity, about the huge increases in household gas and electricity bills. With similar price hikes predicted in the near future it is certain that if the previous price rises aren’t already hitting you hard then your utility bills could certainly be a source of great stress in the foreseeable future. It is never too early to look at ways of saving energy and bringing the cost of those bills down.

  • Turn lights off when you leave the room. It may not seem much, but it is the small acts like this which will add up and have an impact on your utility bills. If you leave lights on when you are away as a deterrent to potential burglars, consider investing in a timing device so that they are not left on constantly.

  • Replace your light fittings with energy saving bulbs. They use 75% less energy than a regular bulb which will save you on your electricity bill. Because they are so efficient they also have the benefit of lasting up to 12 times longer.

  • During the colder months, bear in mind that every degree you turn your thermostat down by will save you 10% on your energy bill. In a typical household that’s a saving of around ?40. Try wearing extra layers indoors if you are prone to feeling cold.

  • Look at the thermostat for your water heater as well. If the temperature is set to above 60 Celsius (around 140 Fahrenheit) then you may be wasting valuable energy.

  • Keep your refrigerator cool by keeping the door shut as much as possible. Leaving the door open for longer than necessary can mean your refrigerator has to work up to 20% harder to bring the temperature down to the correct level.

  • Unless your washing is particularly dirty, try washing it at just 30-40 Celsius. You may not notice a difference in how clean your clothes are and it will make you a sizeable saving over the course of a year.

  • When using the dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer wait until you have a full load before switching it on. These appliances use a lot of electricity so it is in your best interest to lessen the number of loads you put on during the week.

  • If you are making a cup of coffee, only boil as much water as you need. The more water in the kettle, the more energy it takes to boil.

  • Turn the television off if you are not watching it, rather than leaving it on stand-by. While your television is on stand-by it is still using 60% of the energy it would be if it was switched on.

  • Similarly, turn your computer off if it is not in use. It is estimated this can save the average household around ?60 a year.

  • Insulate your attic and get double glazing. Up to 60% of energy is wasted due to poor insulation.

    • Using the simple measures above will not only lessen the impact of energy price hikes, you will be contributing to the conservation of the environment.

    Leanne has published several articles on ways to save money. http://www.savingmoney-makingmoney.co.uk/

    Article source: Expert Articles

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