Households all across Ireland are struggling with rising electricity costs and searching for any way to reduce the number at the bottom of their monthly bill.
While changing tariffs and asking your supplier for a better deal, there are simple things you can do around the house to save a small fortune, including one very simple trick with your washing machine.
Energia has published a list of tips to reduce your usage and bills and also revealed the cheapest and most expensive appliances to use at home
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In terms of saving money quickly, changing the setting on your washing machine can help.
Energia says: "Efficient settings on your washing machine can help you reduce energy consumption. Along with only using your washing machine when it's full, setting your washing machine to wash at 30 degrees or on the Eco setting if it's available can use around 57% less electricity than washing at higher temperatures."
Energia's report shows that the washing machine costs around €0.43 per hour so any little saving there will help keep money in your pocket.
They also shared a tip for your oven - basically keep the door closed to keep the heat in. It sounds simple but when you open your oven door, around 20% of heat is lost which results in your oven having to work to reheat itself.
That's why experts advise looking through the glass door to check on food as opposed to continually opening the oven door.
Energia says: "If you put your food in the oven before you turn the oven on, you can help reduce your energy usage. Another helpful tip is to consider using a slow cooker or batch cooking. A slow cooker in use for six hours can cost you just 55c."
The air fryer is officially the cheapest way to cook at just €0.56 an hour while a conventional oven is €0.58. A microwave is €0.65 and toaster €0.68.
Energia's eye-opening research showed us the most expensive appliances at home and there are some will energy-burners.
However, it's not all bad news as you need not feel guilty for that Netflix or World Cup binge because your TV is costing you the least on your bill. With a cost of just €0.04 an hour, you can indulge in as much TV as you like without feeling guilty.
The box is a lot cheaper than the next cheapest appliance which is actually the washing machine, costing €0.43 per hour. Next cheapest is also a good one - an espresso coffee machine - which only costs €0.52 an hour.
There is a nasty surprise for householders at the other end of the scale because the most expensive appliance is used multiple times a day if you have a big family.
The power shower sets you back €3.33 for every hour it's on. That lets the tumble dryer - often blamed as the biggest energy guzzler in the house - off the hook, although it still costs you €1.30 per hour.
The dryer is the third most expensive but the immersion heater is actually second and costs €1.67 an hour to use, so your parents were right to obsess over it being off when leaving the house.
By way of helping billpayers keep costs down, Energia has released these top tips for the winter.
Keep your oven closed
When you open your oven door, around 20% of heat is lost which results in your oven having to work to reheat it, which is why experts advise looking through the glass door to check on food as opposed to continually opening the oven door. If you put your food in the oven before you turn the oven on, you can help reduce your energy usage. Another helpful tip is to consider using a slow cooker or batch cooking. A slow cooker in use for six hours can cost you just 55c.
Make use of your microwave and air fryer
Using a microwave uses a lot less energy than a conventional oven. Microwaves only heat the food, not the air around it. What might take 20 minutes to reheat in the oven for 0.21c could take you 10 minutes in the microwave at a cost of 0.10c with your microwave.
Meanwhile, using an airfryer for an hour costs 55c whereas using an oven for an hour is 57c. However, using an air fryer for 15 minutes uses over 40% less energy than 1 hour of oven use.
This is because air fryers' smaller size tend to maximise airflow and heat your food even quicker than an oven.
Watch out for your washing machine settings
Efficient settings on your washing machine can help you reduce energy consumption. Along with only using your washing machine when it's full, setting your washing machine to wash at 30 degrees or on the Eco setting if it's available can use around 57% less electricity than washing at higher temperatures.
Less is more
To help keep the energy consumption of your fridge and freezers down as they are on average behind over 10% of a typical energy bill, only store what you need in the fridge and freezer and complete regular clearouts.
The less that is stored in the fridge or freezer means the less energy consumption they use, so keeping them clear of food items that don't require refrigeration can help.
Know your ratings
Do you know what Energy Efficiency rating your TV is? Appliances are rated on a scale of A to G. If you can, choose appliances as close to A rating as possible to help keep energy consumption low. Some appliances may use the old rating scale of A+++ to G. On the old scale, A+++ is the most energy efficient.
Switch to LED bulbs
Switch to LED bulbs where possible. If you can't afford to switch them all in one go, the next time one blows keep the LED advice in mind. LEDs are often at least 80% more energy efficient and can often last 10 years or more.
Watch how you make your coffee
If you have a coffee machine at home but find yourself still constantly using the kettle to make your morning cup of coffee then it may shock you to know that when it comes to coffee making, an average coffee machine uses over 60% less energy per use than boiling a kettle.
Manage your tumble drying
If you have multiple loads of wet clothes, put similar items to dry together. Different materials require different settings. In general, high heat is used for jeans, towels, and other heavy items. Medium heat can be used for synthetic materials like polyester; and low heat for delicate items.
The tumble dryer is still a big energy guzzler and an hour of drying will cost you €1.30. Dry similar types of clothes together to make it more efficient time wise. This could allow you do one 60-minute load and one 120-minute load. This would cost 25% less than two 120-minute loads. By managing your load correctly, your energy usage will be reduced but also your clothes should last longer.
The same goes for the dishwasher, by making sure it’s full you will save yourself from having to run the appliance more than once.
Draughtproof your home
This can be one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy use. By blocking up any unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out, you'll use less energy to heat your home, reduce your usage and keep cozy during winter. Such gaps could be under doors, your letterbox, or window seals…
As all Mammy’s know - turn off the immersion!
Heating your immersion can cost you €1.67 an hour. By getting a timer, you can eliminate any energy wastage. Getting a timer can ensure you have hot water when you need it. You can also conserve that hot water by using insulation or a lagging jacket on the immersion.
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