Energy costs have greatly increased due to the cost of living crisis. Whilst as individuals we can’t tackle the energy crisis as a whole, that doesn't mean that simple changes can't have a big impact. Understanding energy bills and how to save energy has never been more important.
If you are trying to find an overview of understanding energy and the energy price cap ‘Save the Student’ has a useful article that summarises this information well.
Tips to help save energy
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Down below are tips on how to save energy. Whilst some of them may sound simple even small changes can make a big difference when it comes to lowering energy waste and saving money!
Key tips:
If no one is in a room, make sure the lights are turned off Instead of leaving appliances on standby, turn them off completely. When you boil the kettle, only put in as much water as you need. Try to put your dishwasher on ‘Eco-Mode’ or ‘Energy-saving’ mode more, this will reduce the temperature of the wash and is a simple way to make savings. Keep the heat in. Simply closing your blinds or curtains in the evening can help stop heat loss. Additionally, tin foil behind your radiators can help stop heat from escaping. Don't use your washing machine until you have a full load, and use a lower temperature when you do (for example 30 degrees). Defrost your fridge freezer regularly to prevent it from using more energy than needed. If you can, take a shower instead of a bath (and shorten the time you spend in it). Cook with the lids on and match the size of the ring to the size of the pan. Tumble dryers are expensive to run; clothes can be dried for free outside (weather permitting) or on a clothes rail inside. If you can't heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and your bedroom right before you go to bed. Use draught excluders to help keep the heat in your rooms. For more tips in how to save energy the Energy Saving Trust has a great guide called ‘Warm Home Hacks ’.
Understanding Energy Bills
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If you learn how to read your meter correctly and make it a habit to do so, you'll be able to keep track of your energy use and bills easier. This will also help with your budgeting since you'll know how much you spend on energy each month.
Money Saving Expert has a good article which explains how to read your energy bill which can be found here:
Struggling to read your meter? Depending on your accommodation you might have a dial, digital or smart meter. If you are unsure what kind of meter you have or how to read it then ‘The Uni Guide ’ has a great article on how to identify and understand different meters.
