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The average home -

The average home, which has about four occupants, is likely to have upwards of 10 electronic appliances. This means that there’s been a leap in how much electricity we use, despite devices being more efficient.

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The many tricks and hacks -

There are many ways of saving electricity including using more efficient gadgets and appliances, from energy-saver lightbulbs to A+++ rated dishwashers, as well as replacing old appliances and avoiding wasted power by switching unused devices off at the plug.

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Cutting the gas bill -

Gas bills can be cut down by upgrading your gas appliances. This might be easier said than done for most people, but it’s worth considering replacing that old stove.

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Get smart -

A smart thermostat will help you track usage and have more control over gas-powered central heating.

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Turn it off -

If you turn off appliances at the plug, you are likely to save around US$40 a year. It may not sound like much, but combined with the following tips it becomes significant.

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Let technology help -

There is such a thing as plug sockets that are operative by smart phone. These are great for making sure that all your appliances are turned off before going to bed. Cheaper ones have timers that work, too.

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The smart thermostat -

The smart thermostat makes heating more efficient by just heating rooms you use. They learn how long it takes to heat your home, so they heat just before you’re home and stop in time for bed.

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Another benefit -

You also reap the reward of never coming home to a cold home because you can set the heater with your phone. You’re likely to save over US$94 a year with one.

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Only heat rooms you use -

Make sure you're only heating the rooms you're actually using. It's a waste of energy to heat 10 rooms in a house if you're going to stay in your bedroom for the entire evening and only occasionally visit the kitchen.

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Turn it down a few -

Turning down the thermostat by even a few degrees can make a huge difference because almost half of the energy bills are absorbed by heating and hot water.

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Appliances -

Get more efficient appliances. Sure, throwing out perfectly working appliances won’t save you any money, but a high energy-efficiency rating can be worth the investment when it comes to getting new ones.

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Energy ratings on appliances -

The gains are small, but not insignificant, and you will also be reducing your environmental impact. You will typically save US$90 over a 10-year period with an A+++ instead of an A+ model.

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Fridge freezers -

The energy efficiency of the fridge freezer makes a bigger difference though, with an A+++ model typically saving someone US$430 over its lifetime when compared to the A+ model.

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Upgrading that old boiler -

Upgrading the boiler to a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer could have saved someone US$400 a year in 2019 based on the fuel prices, for instance.

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When putting on a wash -

Washing clothes at a lower temperature is one way to cut down on the cost of electricity. It’s usually better for the clothes anyway.

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Never leave the tap running -

Be smart about water. You can save around US$40 easily by washing up in a bowl rather than under a running tap.

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A new shower head -

Your showerhead can save you quite a lot of money (another US$25 per person) by just having a more efficient one.

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Long showers are expensive -

If you fit a timer in your shower or even put a clock on the wall so that people realize how much time they’re spending, you save a lot of money on water and heating bills. It works as an incentive to be fast and save water.

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Insulate, insulate, insulate! -

Insulation is huge. It’s probably the biggest factor when it comes to saving energy (and therefore cutting down on bills). Heat is lost most through the roof and windows.

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Double glazing -

Double glazing the windows and making sure that there is an airtight and ultra-efficient seal stopping heat escaping between the window and the wall is vital.

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Most heat is lost through the roof -

The next step is insulating the ceiling thoroughly. This is done with a thick layer of a material like foam, fiberglass, wool, or cotton, which should be equipped with a waterproof membrane. There shouldn’t be a lot of air flowing through the attic, as it will create suction and drag heat from the rest of the house.

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Good insulated walls is a no brainer -

Insulation in the roof (attic) and the walls cannot be stressed enough. You’re pouring energy away if you’re pumping it in to heat the house only for it to escape.

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Keeping track of things -

Monitor how much energy you’re using. This tactic works for most consumption concerns. It works for food, too. It’s good for us to keep track of things formally.

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Waking up to your energy spending habits -

It might alert you to the fact that you have no choice but to consume energy differently. You may have to stop taking three showers a day!

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Shop around -

Look at different companies. It might be the case that a simple phone call means that you can save a lot of money from just switching your provider.

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There are plenty of platforms to help you find the best deal -

There are countless platforms out there that can help people estimate their monthly costs and project their savings if they were to switch.

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There's rarely any physical work to be done -

Keep in mind that if you do decide to switch, there won’t be any new installations or work done at your house. The contract is just handed over. It normally will be done in three weeks or so.

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If you're struggling, ask for a solution -

If you’re struggling to pay your bills even though you’ve tried everything, it’s often a good option to just contact the supplier. They will often advise and help you.

Sources: (NerdWallet) (MoneySuperMarket)

See also: Countries at the forefront of renewable energies

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