How to reduce your electricity bill in easy steps

With energy prices continually increasing, many households and businesses are looking to lower their bills. When it comes to electricity use in the home, there are plenty of easy things you can do to cut your costs.

Here are 10 of the top ways to reduce your electricity bill.

Turn off your appliances and lights

According to The Energy Saving Trust, you can save £45 a year by turning appliances off standby mode. Most equipment can be turned off at the wall or unplugged without losing their saved programming. Common electricity-draining devices are smart speakers, microwaves, TVs and recorders, computers and phones left on charge. You should also turn off lights when not in use.

Be smart about how you use electrical appliances

The small changes can all add up. For example, using your washing machine at 30 degrees can lower your electricity bill. Try to avoid using your tumble dryer when you can (especially in warmer weather) and reduce your washing machine consumption overall, using half-load programmes if necessary.

Switch to LED lighting

Your home’s lighting makes up a significant proportion of your electricity consumption. Switching to LED lighting can save on electricity costs. LED devices use less electricity than traditional bulbs.

Install smart thermostats

Use smart thermostats to control the temperature in your property, heating the right places at the right times. You should also ensure radiators aren’t blocked or covered by furniture to allow warm air to circulate.

Manage your kitchen electrics

Be smart when it comes to kitchen electricity. Kettles are one of the most used appliances, but you can actually lower your costs by only boiling the amount of water you need to use. Other small changes include only running your dishwasher when it’s full and turning appliances off at the wall when not in use.

Check your hot water insulation

Good insulation for your hot water cylinder, water tank, radiators and pipes can reduce your electricity bills. Ensure you use British Standard approved products like a loose tank jacket for hot water cylinders.

Check your boiler temperature

Got a combi boiler? The National Grid says reducing the temperature of your boiler to 60 degrees Celsius or less can knock money off your energy bills while saving on carbon emissions.

Check your hot water usage

Remain mindful of how much hot water you’re using around the home. Reducing showers to around 4 minutes long can save around £60 on energy bills for some households according to The National Grid.

Conduct an electricity audit

Think about where and when you use electricity around the home and whether it’s needed. Conduct an audit yourself. Which appliances are being powered when they don’t need to be? Are you overfilling your kettle every time? Lots of small easy changes make a big difference.

Keep up to date with electrical assessments

Stay on top of your electrical inspections in the home. Old installations could be using more electricity and energy than needed. At DTEEC, we conduct regular EICRs for homes and businesses, ensuring installations comply with Part P regulations.