An EU-wide energy cap has been proposed as public outrage grows across the continent over sky-high energy bills.
The European Commission has drafted an emergency plan to reduce high bills as the continent faces its worst ever energy crisis. They have proposed an obligation to reduce energy consumption by at least 5% during selected peak price hours.
They have also said overall electricity demand will have to be reduced by at least 10% until March 31, 2023. A windfall tax on energy producers is also planned, with the European Commission saying it could raise as much as 140 billion.
Read more: How to bleed your radiators - this quick job will save you money this winter
It is proposed that member states would collect 2022 profits that are above a 20% increase on the average profits of the previous three years. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said plans to target energy firms' profits will provide "an important stream of revenue" but said the Government will introduce their own measures "to get people through the winter, to the end of March".
As the winter energy crisis looms, there are a number of ways you can try and prevent your bills from spiralling out of control. Here are 10 steps you can take right now to cut your energy bill:
1. Wash your clothes on 30
Set your washing machine to 30 degrees which will use around 40% les energy compared to higher settings. The higher temperature forces the washing machine to work harder which then costs more money. Most washes can be done on 30 degrees, especially towels and sheets. Tougher stains may require a higher heat.
2. Avoid peak times when running your washing machine
The cheapest time to run your washing machine is between 10pm and 5am. However, Dublin Fire Brigade have warned people not to turn on appliances at night while in bed. So if you do want to avail of the cheapest times, pop on your wash at 10pm when possible and stay up until it's finished (maybe one for the weekends). The most expensive time to run your washing machine is between 4pm and 7pm so if a 10pm wash doesn't suit you, simply try to avoid these expensive times.
3. Bleed your radiators
You need to bleed your radiators once a year to get the most out of your central heating. This will get rid of air trapped inside that causes warm water to stop circulating around your radiator. You will need a radiator key, which can be bought in most DIY stores, and a towel to catch any water.
4. Turn down the boiler temperature
Most experts recommend that boilers should be at 55 degrees for a natural gas boiler. You save roughly 6% to 8% for every 10 degrees you take it down a notch.
5. Don't have appliance on standby
If you are not using an appliance, be sure to switch it off at the wall. Appliances such as TVs, microwaves and computers are known as 'vampire devices' and are adding up to 20% on to your monthly electricity bill, according to paylesspower.com.
6. Defrost your freezer
Ice building up on your freezer forces the motor to work extra hard to keep food frozen. You should defrost your freezer regularly to avoid wasting energy.
7. Change your shower head
You may not have realised this but some shower heads are more efficient than others. Some shower head products claim to save 70% of water. Here is one that you can get for €30 ex vat.
8. Use the lid on your saucepan
Popping a lid on your saucepan will save energy by trapping the steam and heat in the pot while you cook. Using a lid uses roughly 10% less energy than leaving it off.
9. Boil your kettle once for tea throughout the day
A TikTok hack has shown us how we can save a bit of money no matter how much tea we drink. @costoflivingcrisistips on TikTok had the clever idea to boil the kettle once a day and then use a flask to keep the water hot. They said: “Boil your kettle once a day to save money. Put three teabags in a pot of tea. Fill up your flask. Brews all day.” Another idea uploaded by the account says you could fill up your flask with boiling water, then use a teabag in a cup for stronger tea.
10. Close your curtains in the evening
This simple trick could save you a few euro and makes sense as the evenings get darker. Keeping your curtains closed in the evening could reduce heat loss by up to 17%, according to research at University of Salford.
Read next:
- Appliance expert reveals common washing machine mistake that is costing you money
- RTE Joe Duffy callers give clever tips to reduce energy bills including egg trick
- Dublin cafe owner 'terrified' as electricity bills are now 'double the rent'
- The surprising items that are forcing costs to 'shoot up' for local bakery
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