Family Friendly Finance: how to save on electricity and gas

There are a lot of myths out there about the best ways to save money on electricity and gas, but one thing is certain: fuel bills are going to cost us alot more from April.

Read on to get the facts on 10 key ways to save energy and find some resources to help you.

  1. We’re all hoping for warmer weather, but in the meantime you can save £80 and 320kg of carbon emissions a year by turning a room thermostat down by one degree, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

2. Swap one bath a week for a short shower and you could save £11 per year. I’m looking at bigger savings here as I move the kids from nightly baths to showers.

3. Wash clothes at 30 degrees rather than any hotter. This is a clear win accrding to what seems to be the most reliable source, the Energy Savings Trust. They say, “Starting with clothes washing and drying, you can make an immediate £6-a-year (plus 20kg CO2) saving simply by turning the temperature down to 30 degrees. It uses a massive 57% less electricity.”

4. And it’s common sense to avoid using some appliances: as bills go up this spring les keep our fingers crossed for sunny weather so we can hang the washing outside.

5. Make the most of it when you do turn an appliance on: ensure your dishwasher is full, and do the same for your washing machine without overloading it.

6. According to Cosy Homes in Lancashire dishwashers can use less energy than handwashing dishes. They advise, “Make sure your dishwasher is always fully-loaded and stacked properly, so that every dish and pan surface is accessible to the water jets, but be careful not to overload it.”

7. Microwaves cook food more efficiently as they only heat the food, not the air around them so use one if you can.

8. What’s the cheapest way to heat water for your cuppa? Opinions vary, but there is a great discussion here in Guardian notes and queries. Gas might be cheaper if you have a lightweight kettle on your hob – but an electric kettle has the plus point it switches off as soon as the water boils. And measure out exactly what you need to boil to stay on top of the electricity used.

9. Do devices left on standby drain power? Yes they do according to the Energy Savings Trust. Some dispute their £55 saving, but give it a go, don’t leave appliances on standby and see what you can save.

10. You probably heard this tips from your parents, but turning off the lights really will save you money, as will sealing up draughts.

Want to know more ways to save? Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has busted some energy saving myths here.

Got some money to invest in making your home more energy efficient? If you do, check out the EST’s suggestions below.

Antonia Chitty is the author of Making Money Online. She is a mum to three and runs Family Friendly Working as well as juggling a range of different income streams.

Disclaimer: This advice is based on my own experiences, combined with resources that I trust and find useful. It is not exhaustive and may not apply to your situation. NB: I’m not a financial adviser, and I won’t be advising you on financial investments. What I aim to do is help you, step by step, to take control of your money, make the most of what you have, and build a better financial future for you and your family.

Photo by Pok Rie from Pexels

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