With the winter chill in the air, it is nearly time for the clocks to go back at the end of the month. Although the extra hour in bed sounds great, the thought of colder and darker evenings is not quite as exciting. With the evenings becoming darker earlier our lights will be on for longer, and as the temperatures drop, our heating will be turned up, so how can we stop our energy bills soaring?!
Zenith Home offer some simple tips to help you save money on your bills this winter as the clocks go back and the nights draw in.
1) Be careful with your curtains
If you have any south facing windows then make sure the curtains are opened during the day as any sunlight we do manage to get this winter will help to naturally heat your home. But remember to draw the curtains every evening as 20% of your homes heat escapes through cracks and gaps around doors and windows.
2) Overfill is overkill
As the winter draws in, you may find yourself drinking more hot drinks than usual so just be careful not to overfill the kettle and just boil what you need. Boiling more water than necessary will waste a sufficient amount of energy and over the month, if this is done every time the kettle is boiled, your bills will see a significant rise.
3) Destroy that draft
When the temperatures drop, our homes can feel cold and draughty. Although doors are designed to shut out the cold, this isn't always the case as the biting winter wind always seems to find a way through the smallest of cracks and gaps. Before you turn up the heating, Zenith strongly suggest investing in a draught excluder to block out the unwelcome breeze.
4) Timing is everything
It is tempting to leave a lamp on when you go to work to give the impression that the house is not empty but investing in a timer is a far more energy efficient way to deter any intruders as you can set certain lamps to come on at particular times of the day or night. Having lamps come on for an hour or so each evening will save far more energy and money on your bills than leaving on for the entire time you are out. Making sure your heating is on a timer is also the most energy efficient way to warm up your home as if you are out all day, it is only really necessary for the heating to be on for a couple of hours in the morning and evening.
5) Standby is not safe
Make sure you unplug EVERYTHING before you leave the house and don't leave anything on standby as this still uses energy. As your lamps and heating will be on for longer now, you need to make sure that you are unplugging any unused appliances. Double check each room in the house before you lock up and make sure bigger appliances such as the TV, washing machines and dishwashers are switched off as well as the hair straighteners!