Simple & Easy Ways to Conserve Energy at Home.

With increasing concern for our planet’s climate and energy prices that are consistently on the rise, it pays to be prepared with ways to preserve energy at home. There are a number of different things you can do to reduce your power bills and your carbon footprint, both immediately and in the long-term.

Here are our top tips for conserving energy at home naturally - 

Appliances

If you’re not using it, turn it off. Keeping appliances turned on uses energy even when you’re not using them. TVs, DVD players and stereos all use energy even in standby mode. Make sure you turn everything off at the power point when you’re not using them to preserve energy and keep your costs down. To make it even easier, plug multiple appliances into a power board. You’ll be able to turn them off with just one switch.

Buy energy and water efficient appliances. Check energy ratings before you make any appliance purchases and choose appliances with good ratings. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the appliance will be. For example, when buying a fridge, look for a fridge with an energy rating of A+++, such as the Siemens iQ700.

Lighting

Lighting is another area you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and electricity bills. One simple thing you can do right away is change all your existing lights for energy efficient bulbs and fluorescent lighting. If you are planning to install new fittings, check out your energy efficient options. These will benefit you, and the environment, long term.

Don’t forget to turn off lights you’re not using. Get yourself into a good habit of switching off lights as you leave a room, and only switch on lights you need.

Windows

The type of windows you have can also make a difference to your home. When choosing windows for your home, choose high performance windows that offer double-glazing and coatings designed to help prevent heat from escaping during the colder months, and keep it out during the warmer months. Tinted windows and specialised window films can help to keep the heat of the summer sun at bay and reduce your need to crank up the air conditioning.

If you’re renovating or building, consider installing bi-fold doors. Bi-fold doors not only look great, they also allow you to bring the outdoors in. Bi-fold doors fold all the way over, opening up your space and allowing for fresh air to flow through your house. This means you can cool your house down without the need for fans or air conditioning. A good quality bi-fold door, such as these from Vufold, are finished with UV protection which allows heat to stay in during winter while the bad weather stays out, making bi-fold doors a great energy saving solution all year round.

Other Ways to Keep Cool and Stay Warm

If you’re using a fan or heater, keep doors and windows closed to maximise their effectiveness and efficiency. Keeping your window coverings closed will also help.

Add additional blankets to your bed to avoid using heaters through the night. Alternatively, try a hot water bottle.

Keep your heating and cooling appliances clean regularly and change filters often to avoid your heaters, fans and air conditioning units from working harder than they need to.

For a long-term energy saving solution, consider renewable energy. Installing solar power, or another renewable energy source to power your house, will reduce bills and your carbon footprint.

Also consider having your home properly insulated. Proper insulation will reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling.

If you have a fireplace, use it. Using your fireplace instead of a heater or central heating will significantly reduce your electricity or gas bill.