You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear… if you have nt got it, then you have to look at alternative options or innovative ways when it comes to saving money. Electricity has seen unprecedented price increases over the last year and it’s not getting any better.
John Lowe of MoneyDoctors.ie looks at best ways to start saving on your electricity costs with 18 no-cost changes in your home that you could save over € 400 or more a year, depending on a number of factors including the size of your home….every cent counts
- Turn off unnecessary lights
Two 100-watt incandescent bulbs switched off an extra two hours per day could save you €15 over a year. Better yet, switch to LED.
Save € 15
- Use natural light
A single south-facing window can illuminate 20 to 100 times its area. Turning off one 60-watt bulb for four hours a day is a € 9 saving over a year.
Save € 9
- Use task lighting
Turn ceiling lights and use table lamps, track lighting and under-counter lights in work and hobby areas as well as in kitchens.
Save € 6
- Take shorter showers
Hot water is expensive. If two people in your home cut their shower time by a minute each, you could save € 30 over a year.
Save € 30
- Turn water off when shaving, washing hands, brushing teeth
Reduce your hot water usage by 5% to save about € 19.
Save € 19
- Fix that leaky tap
Fixing a hot water leak in your tap can save up to € 9 per year in energy costs.
Save € 9
- Unplug unused electronics
Standby power can account for 10% of an average household’s annual electricity use. Unplug unused electronics and save € 50 a year.
Save € 50
- Ditch the desktop computer
If you’re still using that old desktop (PC), recycle it and switch to your laptop. If you use your laptop two hours per day, you’ll save € 4 over a year.
Save € 4
- Recycle or donate that old TV
Recycle or donate your old TV.. Even if you’re just using it an hour a day, that 42-inch LCD is costing you six euro a year.
Save € 6
- Manage your thermostat
If you have electric heat, lower your thermostat by one degree to save 10% on your heating bill.
Save € 90
- Reduce heat in the kitchen
Avoid using the oven in summer – try salads, smoothies or barbecue. You’ll reduce the heat in your home and save on your home cooling costs. The opposite for winter !
Save € 5
- Run full washloads
Cut one load of wash per week, even if you’re already using cold water only, and you could save € 18 a year on your laundry costs.
Save € 18
- Wash laundry in cold
By switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads per week, you could save up to € 22 per year on your energy bill.
Save € 22
- Hang dry your laundry
If you do eight loads of laundry a week and use your clothesline for 50% of those clothes, you could save € 65 a year.
Save € 65
- Dry full loads of laundry
Aim for dryer that’s about three-quarters full. It’ll mean fewer loads over time and help your dryer work more efficiently.
Save € 15
- Be efficient with refrigeration
Maintain clean, air-tight refrigerator door seals to keep the cold air in and warm air out.
Save € 13
- Skip the heat-dry setting for the dishwasher
That heat-dry setting is expensive. De-select it and based on one load of dishes a day, save up to € 27 for the year.
Save € 27
- Use the microwave, crock pot or toaster oven (air-fry)
A microwave takes 15 minutes to do the same job as 1 hour in an oven. Use a microwave instead of your oven 4 times a week and save € 13/year.
Save € 13
Yes you can – money is better in your back pocket !