In Ireland, managing home energy bills is a growing concern for many households. Energy prices have risen steeply over the last few years. Here’s our Top 5 tips to help you reduce your home energy bills in a practical and effective way.
1. Upgrade Your Insulation
Improving your home’s insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep your energy bills down. In Ireland, where the weather can be quite variable, having good insulation helps to keep your home warm during the colder months. Consider upgrading insulation in key areas such as the attic, walls, and floors. Upgrading your windows to Double, or even Triple-glazing will help trap that heat inside.
Drafts can also have a huge impact on heat retention, so be sure to search for gaps and cracks where the cold air is getting in. You could check the seal around your windows and doors.
2. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
When it’s time to replace or buy new appliances, opting for energy-efficient models can lead to substantial savings on your energy bills. Look for products with a good energy rating on the label, indicating they use less electricity. Although the initial investment might be higher, the long-term savings on energy bills and the lower environmental impact make it worthwhile.
You can also consider using those items in a more efficient manner. For example, if you are boiling the kettle for a cup of tea, then there’s no need to do a full kettle. Could you wash your clothes at a lower temperature? Is there an energy efficient option on your dishwasher? Can you turn appliances off at the wall instead of leaving them on standby?
3. Utilize Smart Heating Controls
Smart heating controls allow you to manage your heating more effectively and avoid wasting energy. With a programmable thermostat, you can set your heating to turn on only when needed, such as just before you wake up or return home. Some smart systems even learn your schedule and adjust heating automatically or can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app, providing both convenience and efficiency.
You can also turn down the temperature that the controls are set to. Dropping the thermostat by just 1 degree can save a significant amount of money over the course of the winter.
4. Switch to more efficient lighting habits
Lighting accounts for a significant portion of home energy use. Electric Ireland estimate that approximately 11% of electricity bills come from lighting. Switching to LED bulbs can make a big difference in energy consumption. LEDs are much more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs and have a longer lifespan, which means less frequent replacements and more savings over time.
You could also consider turning lights off that are not needed. That atmospheric lamp you like to leave on could be costing you more than you think!
5. Perform Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your home’s heating system and appliances ensures they are running efficiently. An annual service by a qualified technician can help identify issues that might be causing your heating system to work harder than necessary, leading to higher energy bills.
There may come a time when you have to replace appliances that are broken or damaged. At that point, you should consider other options. Maybe switching to a different type of cooker, fridge or dishwasher could save you money. If your house is suitable for a heat pump, it could save you money in switching from your traditional boiler.
Final thoughts
Implementing these tips can lead to significant savings on your home energy bills. Some of them are very easy to do, and can also be done quite quickly.
One other way to potentially save some money is to shop around for your Home Insurance on renewal. AA Home Insurance comes with Emergency Home Rescue as standard, plus you can get special discounts by buying online!
