Expert Shares the Top Energy Saving Tips for 2025
Energy costs are consistently on the rise, and most of us are looking desperately for ways to cut back our bills in the new year.
Here are some top tips from energy expert William Hobbs at MyJobQuote.co.uk on how to make 2025 your year for saving energy!
Adjust Your Thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature within your home is a vital first step to saving on energy costs. However, contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t necessarily mean setting it higher in the summer and lower in the winter!
During winter, the lower the temperature within your home, the slower it will lose heat. So effectively, the longer your house remains at a lower temperature, the less heat it will lose, and the more you will save on energy costs.
The same principle applies during the hot summer months – a higher temperature in your home will slow the flow of heat into your house. This will make you less reliant on the use of air conditioning, fans, and other costly appliances.
Bleed and Flush Your Radiators
Bleeding and flushing radiators can help you save on energy costs by increasing their overall efficiency.
Bleeding a radiator will remove trapped air from inside the system and allow hot water to circulate more effectively, thus increasing efficiency.
Flushing will remove any sludge and debris that is preventing your radiator from performing properly, which means it takes less time to heat up, which can be a costly process.
By doing these checks on your radiators each year, you can extend their lifespan, ensure that they are warming your home throughout without leaving cold spots, and reduce strain on your boiler.
Unplug Devices When Not in Use
Unplugging devices when they aren’t being used is something that many of us easily forget to do, but it can make a big difference when trying to save money on electricity costs.
Some devices, such as certain televisions and microwaves, run on ‘standby power’ when not being used. This means that, although they may appear to be switched off and dormant, they are still consuming electricity, and this can add a surprisingly large amount to your electricity bill compared to if they were unplugged.
The same goes for the chargers that we use to power our devices, such as laptops and mobile phones. Even when they do not have a device attached, they will still be taking up electricity if left plugged in, so they should always be removed from the plug when not in use.
Utilise Blankets and Warm Clothes
This one may seem obvious, but how often have we cranked up the heating on a cold winter evening before adding on those few extra layers? Equipping ourselves with some fleece pyjamas, cosy socks, and a thick dressing gown are cost-efficient investments that will save on heating bills for years to come.
Additionally, you may wish to consider using a heated blanket. Although this will still use some electricity, it only has to work to heat up you rather than an entire room, so it will require much less energy consumption than other appliances such as fan heaters and electric fireplaces.
Insulate Your Home
Installing effective insulation methods can help you save money on energy bills all year round by keeping cold draughts out during winter and protecting from outside heat in the summer months.
The effectiveness of insulation depends on the type and amount you install and the size of your home. But from double-glazing your windows to installing cavity walls, a little goes a long way in improving your energy efficiency!
You can save money on the initial costs by installing the insulation yourself and using budget methods such as placing draught blockers around windows and doors and using thermal curtains and blinds.
Control Your Kettle
Kettles can be one of the most expensive household appliances to run, and if you are a tea or coffee lover, they will most likely be switched on multiple times a day. But fear not – There are a number of things you can do to reduce energy consumption and brew guilt-free.
Firstly, only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need for that particular use, as boiling more water will use more energy. Many kettles come equipped with markings that show how high you need to fill the water level for each use, but if not, try using a measuring jug or similar to control the amount that you are pouring in each time.
Dry Your Clothes Naturally
Tumble dryers are a quick and convenient method of getting your clothes dry, and in some circumstances, such as when you are in a rush, they can be of great use. However, they also consume a huge amount of electricity each time we run them, so they shouldn't be relied on for frequent use.
During the summer months, if you have a garden or similar outdoor area, clothes can be hung out to dry naturally on the washing line – not only will this save energy, but they will be left with that fresh outdoor smell!
For alternative indoor drying methods, which can be especially valuable during the winter months, you can use a drying rack or utilise appliances such as heated airers and dehumidifiers, which will consume far less energy than a tumble dryer.
Make Use of Off-Peak Hours
Off-peak electricity hours are when electricity prices are lower because demand is lower. This usually means late at night and early in the morning, and the exact times will depend on your energy provider and tariff, but it often falls around the range of 11 pm to 8 am.
Now, this isn't to say that you need to stay up all night to get your electricity usage in, but these hours can certainly be used to your advantage with devices such as washing machines and dishwashers.
Leaving these appliances to run overnight during the off-peak hours will add up to make a good saving on your energy costs, and a lot of appliances have a function that allows you to set a timer for them to start during this period.
Final Thoughts
Creating a more energy-efficient home and, therefore, saving money on energy bills will allow you to enjoy more of life's luxuries during 2025. Although some steps discussed may only save you a small amount in isolation, keeping up the good work and combining them will ensure you have the most cost-effective new year yet!
WILLIAM HOBBS: William Hobbs is an expert in sustainability and energy. Having previously worked as an electrician, William has expertise in the electric field. In recent years, William has moved on to sustainability and energy consultancy as well as providing his advice and expertise for MyJobQuote. William's expert tips and comments have been featured in a range of leading press outlets.
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