As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many Irish households are struggling to pay gas and electricity bills.
People are searching for practical tips to cut down their energy usage and there are a few things that can be done to reduce your household bills.
Some tips can be implemented immediately at no cost, such as turning off standby appliances, while others such as insulating your home or replacing an old boiler need more investment.
READ MORE: Replacing one unusual household appliance could save you money on your electricity bill
By following this guide over the summer it could help to reduce energy bills in the long run, meaning people will be able to save money on bills all year round.
Here are some top tips on saving on gas and electricity bills at home from experts at A-Plan Insurance:
Gas bills
Smart thermostat: When you install a smart thermostat, the technology inside it can quickly determine your household's patterns and adjust temperatures according to when your home is occupied or not occupied. This allows any cooling systems used in the summertime and heating systems used in the winter to only be in effect at the time of need, therefore reducing the cost.
Check the temperature of your water: If you find that the water coming out of your taps is extremely hot, you are likely wasting gas. Turning down the temperature by a few degrees will help reduce this wasted gas and make the temperature more comfortable and usable.
Insulate your home: It is very common that many homes are not adequately insulated, meaning in the winter, you may struggle to keep your home warm. If possible, opt for loft insulation as heat rises, and most of the heat escaping a poorly insulated house will be via the roof. The cost might seem like a lot at the time, but while the summer months are upon us and you may be turning the heating on less, why not get it sorted ahead of the winter and thank yourself in the long run.
Electricity bills
Stand-alone devices: Laptops, phones and tablets that can be used without being connected to the mains will drastically reduce your power consumption. They are incredible for boosting productivity as they can be used anywhere at any time compared to desktop computers and large monitors.
Turn off non-active appliances: By turning off your standby appliances, you will reduce the amount of electricity usage. A great way to monitor this is by purchasing controllable sockets via an app on your phone, which means you can switch on and off your devices when needed.
Cook efficiently: Try to use ovens and other kitchen utilities simultaneously to save energy. Putting the oven on five times a day for smaller amounts of cooking will waste more energy than if you were to cook more food at one time. Try organising what meals your family will have throughout the week so you can work out how often the utilities will be used and for how long.
Seven quick tips that will make a difference
- Turning off lights in rooms you are not using, alongside heating and any other appliances that are in vacant room
- Use lids on pans that are boiling to speed up cooking time
- Hang out your washing instead of using a tumble dryer; make use of the summer months!
- Install thick and heavy curtains in colder months to trap in heat
- Take showers instead of baths
- Replace an old boiler to improve efficiency
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