The campaign to get people to use less energy at home has been going on for many years, so most people know to turn off lights and turn down the heat. However, it can be difficult to remember all these things, especially when you don’t see much difference day to day. So, here are some ways you can use less energy at home that can be done without you needing to make a day to day effort.
- Install a smart thermostat
Smart thermostats are a way of controlling the heat around your home using an app. This means that if you leave the heat running when you go out shopping, or even on vacation, you can easily switch it off remotely. Some systems will also detect when you’ve left the house and will turnoff your heating, so you aren’t wasting cash, and then switch it back on when you’re getting close to home. There are a number of smart thermostats to suit different lifestyles and budget and once they’re set up, you save money without thinking about it.
- See how you use energy
If you want to use less energy, then a smart meter can help you break bad habits. Once installed, you can see the amount of energy you’re using when you run appliances such as your dishwasher or washer dryer, so you can learn to use them more efficiently. You not only use less energy, but you also cut down your utility bill, so it’s win-win.
- Make your home eco-friendlier
There are a number of improvements you can make to your home to make it eco-friendlier, which means you use less energy without any extra effort. For example, if you have single glazed or old double glazing windows, you might want to check whether you can get a grant via Help to Buy Windows to replace them. Simply replacing insulation and old heating systems can make a big difference. An eco-friendly home stays cooler in the summer, so you use the air-con less, and warmer in the winter, so you save on those costly heating bills.
- Buy appliances that use less energy
Buying new appliances for the sake of it isn’t very eco-friendly, but once they come to the end of their natural life, you could consider upgrading to appliances that are better for the environment. Energy-efficient appliances will have an Energy Star logo, a scheme that’s backed by the government so that consumers can buy greener products. If you browse their website, you can find the most energy-efficient products from clothes washers to dehumidifiers, so simply switching makes your home greener, without you needing to do anything differently.
There are plenty of ways to use less energy in your home without having to run around switching things off. New technology is helping to make homes more energy-efficient, and by choosing greener appliances, you cut down on your bills and use less energy without even thinking about it.
