14 lesser-known ways to reduce your energy bills including unusual cling film trick
Householders are being offered some little-known tips on reducing energy use in their home and cutting bills - and some of the methods are quite unusual.
The advice comes as scores of people across the country face high energy costs, exacerbated by cold winter months. Many parts of the country have seen temperatures drop over recent months and it remains cold in February.
People may be having to use more gas and electricity to heat their homes, thus increasing energy bills. Now an expert has shared a raft of ways to save money.
READ MORE: Top North East medic backs NHS 'hubs' as key way to tackle 'huge' flu pressures
READ MORE: Plans for £12 million garden centre in Alnwick given the green light
Stephen Hankinson, energy efficiency expert at Electric Radiators Direct, has put together a list of 14 ways to reduce how much energy you use or help keep your home feeling cosy for longer, including a trick with mirrors and one method using cling film. These are outlined below.
1. Place DIY draft stoppers at the bottom of doors
Roll up old towels or blankets and place them at the base of doors to block drafts. You could even make your own ‘draft snakes’ using old socks filled with rice (and securely tied at the ends). Whichever option you go for, these can help block cold air from sneaking in through gaps under doors or windows, keeping key rooms such as your living space or bedroom nice and warm.
2. Adapt your curtains to increase how insulating they are
Thicker or insulated curtains keep the cold out and the warmth in. Rather than investing in new curtains, which can be pricey, grab any spare blankets or bath towels and safety pin these to the back of your existing curtains, adding an extra layer of insulation. Close them at night but open them during the day to let in sunlight and natural heat.
Get all the latest money news and budgeting tips from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter
3. Lower your water heater temperature
Most UK water heaters are set to store water at around 60-65°C. However, this is actually far too hot to bathe in (and hotter than is usually needed for a washing machine or dishwasher load), so you’re essentially spending money over-heating.
Instead, set your water heater to a more comfortable 49°C. This is usually warm enough for most household needs and it can reduce your heater’s energy consumption by 4-8%, which can be a saving of around £20 a month over winter.
4. Preheat appliances only when necessary
Preheat ovens and other appliances only when it’s really necessary to do so. If a recipe doesn’t specifically require preheating, skip it and pop your food in straight away as it can be starting to warm through as your oven heats up, reducing overall time that your oven needs to be on for.
Once you’ve done cooking, switch your oven off and open the door to let the warmth flow into your home. For small heating tasks, use a microwave instead of the oven too. Microwaves typically use less energy as they heat food more quickly.
5. Insulate windows with plastic wrap
Putting cling film on the inside of your windows may seem odd, but this creates an extra layer of insulation by trapping air between the glass and the plastic. It’s also a much cheaper alternative to ‘official’ insulating films.
Just take the time to measure out and clean the window first. You should also ideally apply the cling film on a dry, warm day to ensure the film adheres well.
Use a soft cloth or your hands to smooth out the cling film and ensure it sticks down well - be gentle to avoid tearing the film. Check the edges and surface of the cling film to ensure there are no gaps or loose areas – it should be tightly sealed and smooth to provide the best insulation.
6. Clean radiators to improve efficiency
Dust and dirt on radiators can reduce their heat output. Ensure the radiator is switched off and use a soft cloth (or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment) to remove dust and dirt from the surface of the radiator. Pay attention to the grille and any nooks and crannies too.
For radiators with fins or convectors, use a radiator brush or a long, thin brush to get between the fins. This helps remove dust and debris that can block airflow and reduce efficiency.
While cleaning, check for any signs of leaks or rust. If you notice any issues, it might be worth having a professional inspect this. After cleaning, it’s a good idea to bleed the radiator to remove any trapped air. This helps ensure that the radiator fills completely with hot water and heats more efficiently.
7. Adjust your fridge and freezer temperature settings
Set your refrigerator to 4°C and your freezer to -18°C. Keeping them colder than this is not necessary and uses as much as 15% more electricity. Also, ensure the door seals are tight to prevent cold air from escaping.
Manually defrost freezers if they start to accumulate ice too. Ice buildup makes the freezer work harder and use more energy.
8. Use mirrors to reflect heat
Believe it or not, but a cleverly placed mirror can help move heat through your room. Place mirrors opposite radiators or windows to reflect and distribute warmth more effectively.
9. Close off unused rooms
Shut doors to rooms you don’t use and turn down radiators in those areas (so they are only just warm enough to not freeze). This approach to ‘zoned heating’ helps focus the heating where it’s needed most.
10. Always add lids to pots and pans
Always add lids to your pots and pans to retain heat and help food cook faster. Also, try to match the pot size to the burner size to avoid heat loss.
11. Optimise your dishwasher
Run your dishwasher only with full loads and use the eco or energy-saving setting. If you can, skip the drying cycle and air-dry dishes instead.
12. Run full laundry loads – but don’t overload
Run your laundry appliances with full loads to maximize efficiency - partial loads waste energy. You should also avoid overloading your washing machine or dryer though.
Overloading can make these appliances work harder and actually use more energy. Your appliance should have a sticker on it somewhere, confirming the maximum load size.
13. Take slightly colder, shorter showers
Switching to a cooler shower can significantly cut down on your water heating costs. For example, every 5.6°C reduction in water temperature can lead to a 3-5% savings in energy used to heat water.
If you reduce your shower time by two minutes per day, you can save several gallons of hot water each week too. This can translate to savings of several pounds on your energy bill per month, depending on your water heater’s efficiency rating.
14. Seal unused chimney flues
If you live in a property with chimney, and you don’t tend to use these, it’s best to seal these off over winter, to prevent heat loss. You can get temporary flue covers fairly cheaply (for around £20) or you can make your own with some duct tape, cardboard and tin foil.