Common sense: a surefire way to make savings on your energy bills

Last Modified 16th of February 2021

More households than ever in the UK are currently in a state of what is known as ‘fuel poverty’. The problem is, that although money can be saved through cutting down on luxuries and making more discerning purchasing decisions, heating expenses unfortunately cannot be grouped into the same category.

The fact is that energy is not a luxury; it is a vital necessity of which is essential to our very survival. So the pertinent question is what can be done, if anything, to reduce costs? Well, thankfully there are things that can be done, simple as they may be. It could be argued however, that people’s entire attitude to energy and the ways in which they consume it needs to evolve in order for there to be any kind of long-term effect.

Switch off devices when you’re not using them

Firstly, and perhaps the most obvious and yet most frequently overlooked tip is to ensure that electrical items are switched off when not in use. In this age, dominated by digital media, a single household may be powering numerous devices at any given time. Laptops are switched on and then forgotten about, as is true of tablets and the like. Simply adjusting your device’s settings to a sleep or hibernating function can significantly reduce the power used during periods of inactivity.

Invest in insulation for long-term savings

Proved to be one of the most effective means of reducing energy costs is insulation; it is estimated that the average household loses up to 35% of its heat through the roof. A good indicator of this can be seen during cold weather. For example, during the cold snaps of recent years when snow was a commonality, many houses could be seen with a sparkling blanket of snow adorning their roofs, whereas on others, the snow melted faster. Snow could perhaps indicate a well-insulated loft, as less heat is escaping from the roof to melt up the snow.

Change your attitude towards energy

Most energy saving techniques are simply a matter of common sense, which perhaps highlights the necessity of an entire attitude shift towards energy and the ways in which we use it. If we all accept the inevitable fact that the majority of our energy is generated from non-renewable sources, it is surely an obvious conclusion to reach that energy consumption is everybody’s concern and therefore ultimately a shared responsibility.

As with most contracts, it is also wise to compare energy providers periodically, to ensure that you are on the best tariff for your needs.