We all know how important it is to use less energy, both for our wallets and the planet. A family household (4-5 people) faces an energy bill of around £147 a month on average, but your monthly bill provides very little insight as to where that energy is going. If you’re trying to save money, the lack of detail can make it hard to know where to start.
If that’s you and you’d like to find out how to decode your bill, keep reading. We’ll look at the biggest drains of energy in your house and show you simple, practical ways to reduce your usage.
1. Heating & Hot Water
Heating and using hot water (showers, baths and taps) make up the largest chunk of your energy bill – around 80% in fact. Your bill will obviously depend on the size of your home and how well it’s insulated. Larger houses cost more to heat, while good insulation keeps warmth in and bills down. New build homes are designed to meet high energy efficiency standards. In fact, a new report commissioned by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) found people living in new build homes save on average around £420 a year on their overall bills compared with those in older properties.
Top tips for reducing your usage:
- Could you turn your thermostat down a notch or two? The Energy Saving Trust estimates that you can save up to 10% per degree.
- Most combi boilers run hotter than necessary. Reducing the flow temperature to around 60°C can save you around 4% on your gas bills. Nesta has a video on how to do it.
- Save around £40 a year by reducing the hot water temperature on your boiler to around 55°C.
2. Kitchen Appliances
The kitchen is filled with energy-guzzling appliances. According to the Energy Saving Trust, fridges and freezers alone account for around 13% of our energy bills because they’re always running.
Ovens and hobs may not be on all the time, but they use a considerable amount of energy when they are. Figures by Money Saving Expert show that ovens are the second-most expensive household appliance to run, with electric hobs coming fourth. Dishwashers and microwaves also rank in the top 7, although microwaves are far cheaper to run than ovens..
Top tips for reducing your usage
- Set your fridge to 5°C and your freezer to -18°C – any colder and you’re wasting energy.
- Swap the oven for a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker when you can.
- Batch-cook meals in the oven and reheat them in the microwave throughout the week.
3. Laundry
Washing machines and tumble dryers are among the most energy-thirsty of household appliances, making up around 14% of the average bill.
Top tips for reducing your usage:
- Wash clothes at 30°C and air dry when possible.
- Use eco-mode programmes.
- Clean your tumble dryer filters regularly – an excess of fluff and dirt means your machine has to work harder.
- Reduce ironing by hanging shirts to dry.
4. Electronics & Entertainment
Modern life means we’re surrounded by electronics – TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, speakers – permanently plugged in and ready to go. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that these devices account for around 6% of our energy bill.
Top tips for reducing your usage:
- Standby mode still uses energy! Use power strips to turn off fully.
- Avoid charging phones overnight and unplug once fully charged.
- Do you really need a massive TV? Smaller screens are cheaper to run.
5. Lighting
Lighting accounts for around 5% of a home’s energy bills, but the type of bulb you use matters. LEDs use around 80% less energy and last up to 20 times longer than halogen bulbs. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that replacing any halogen spotlights with LED bulbs could save up to £45 a year.
Top tips for reducing your usage:
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
- The lower the wattage bulb, the lower the energy used
6. Other Appliances
Kettles, coffee machines, hairdryers and vacuum cleaners may only run in short bursts, but they use high power. According to Money Saving Expert, kettles are the third most expensive appliance to run, followed closely by vacuum cleaners and hairdryers.
Top tips for reducing your usage:
- Only boil the amount of water you need.
- Empty your vacuum cleaner and clean the filters regularly for maximum efficiency.
- Don’t dry your hair from wet. Air dry partially and then finish off with a hairdryer.
How else can I reduce my energy bill?
Small changes can make a big difference:
- Fix draughts around doors and letterboxes to keep the heat in.
- Swap baths for showers and keep showers short. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that cutting just a minute off your shower time can save around £45 in energy bills – if you get everyone in your household to do the same, that’s a huge saving.
- Use your smart meter to help you understand your energy habits and spot opportunities to save. It can also give you access to reduced tariffs from energy companies.
Being energy savvy is a whole lot easier in new build homes. Built with energy efficiency in mind – from high-quality insulation to double glazing – new build homes typically use a lot less energy a year.
In a Peter Ward home, you’ll also find modern appliances, plus electric car charging points as standard. It’s just one of the many ways a new build home can make a greener life easier. To take a look at our latest developments visit here.