Paying your energy bills can seem like one of those annoying tasks that come around far too frequently. Unfortunately, in this day and age, it’s impossible to live without energy – so there’s no avoiding the payments! However, what you can always do to make the task less of a financial burden, is to try to cut back on your energy usage as much as possible.
This will free up money that you can spend on other, more exciting activities!
Life as a student and the need to budget
As you are thrown into student life, you’ll likely realise the importance of sticking to a budget. It’s always a wise decision to keep two separate bank accounts. One which covers your essential living costs, such as rent, bills and transport. You should then use another account that can be used for nights out, takeaways and other recreational activities!
Saving money by reducing energy usage: Some useful tips
One way of easily saving money is by cutting back on your energy usage. You might not know where to start with this, so have a look through this list for some helpful tips on how you can reduce your usage.
Look for better deals and make the switch!
Whilst it might seem like a long process, this is one of the best ways of saving money on energy bills. It’s often the case that the landlord or previous tenants are using a provider that is charging an extortionate rate, and whilst it may seem convenient to use the same one, it’s highly recommended you look for alternatives online. You can use comparison websites that will show you alternative providers and how much they charge, and then just get in touch about making the switch.
Submit meter readings
This is often overlooked by many tenants, but it’s an easy task that can be ideal for saving money. Without submitting meter readings, energy providers will charge you in bigger lump sums which can be a big hit if you’re not expecting them. If you send them monthly meter readings, you’ll pay in smaller instalments and only pay for what you are using. This will also help you to keep better track of how much you are using.
Turn off the heating and wrap up!
Whilst nobody wants to sit in a freezing cold house, heating can make up a large portion of energy bills. You can save money on energy bills by rationing out when you turn the heating on and alternatively wearing an extra layer or two around the house.
If it’s essential that you put the heating on, try to keep the temperature lower, as lowering the heating by even 1 degree can help to reduce your energy bills. If it’s just a little chilly, then try to resist the urge to whack the heating on and instead, put on a couple of jumpers and some slippers!
Don’t overcharge electrical devices
It can be a habit to leave your phone or laptop on charge all night whilst your sleeping, however, this is often unnecessary, and it will add more to your energy bills. It’s better to charge your electronics until they are fully charged and then take them off. It’s also recommended that you don’t leave appliances on standby, so be sure to turn them off at the plug when you are finished using them.
Wash your clothes at a low temperature
Washing machines can be one of the least energy-efficient appliances, however, you can actually save on your energy by doing washes at a low temperature. It’s also a good idea to ensure you are putting on a full load at once when doing a wash. If you live with flatmates, you can save more energy by doing a combined wash.
Time your showers!
It’s often tempting to stay in the shower for far longer than necessary, and this is one sure enough method of racking up a higher energy bill. It’s also easy to lose track of time while you’re in the shower, so it can be a good idea to time your showers and limit yourself to five minutes. In addition to saving energy, this will give you a little bit of extra time in the mornings!
Use the dishwasher
Contrary to popular belief, dishwashers are actually more energy-efficient than washing by hand. If you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, you should make use of it! However, make sure that you completely fill the dishwasher before turning it on to make sure you’re being as efficient as possible.
Switch the lights off
As always, make sure you turn off the lights when you leave a room. This is often recommended as an energy-saving tip, but it’s important to reinforce it as it’s so simple to do and every bit of energy saved helps.
