According to Energy Savings Expert Joshua Houston, at GreenMatch, there are energy-guzzling appliances hiking your bills when left on standby.
“Many people believe that devices in standby mode use negligible power,” said Mr Houston. “However, this ‘vampire power’ can account for up to 10 percent of your home’s electricity use.”
In order to minimise how much power household appliances could be using, Mr Houston advised people to “use smart power strips or unplug your devices”.
While some might leave their heating on low all through the day to keep the house warm, this is seen as a “waste of energy” and inefficient.
Mr Houston explained: “Modern heating systems use thermostats or smart home devices to warm homes quickly, making it more cost-effective to heat only when needed.
“Using a programmable thermostat to control heating times can save you up to £130 per year on energy bills.”
This one may surprise you, but washing your dishes by hand could be costing you more than with a dishwasher. Mr Houston said: “Modern dishwashers are often more efficient than hand-washing, especially when fully loaded.
“Energy star-certified dishwashers use about 12 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than standard models.
“An energy-efficient dishwasher uses around six to seven litres of water per cycle, while hand-washing typically uses 50 litres and above.”
And for those who are already using a dishwasher, Mr Houston recommended “skipping the pre-rinsing” and letting the dishwasher do the work.
Another way to save on energy bills is to refrain from raping up the thermostat when you’re feeling cold. Mr Houston explained: “Many of us have been guilty of cranking up the thermostat to 25C when we are shivering, hoping to warm up our homes in record time.
“But here’s the truth: it will just make your heating system run longer, wasting energy. Therefore, it is better to set your thermostat to the temperature you actually want.
“For most UK homes, that’s around 18 to 21C. Your system will work steadily and efficiently to reach and maintain that temperature. No rush, no waste.”
