Experts have rounded up the most efficient ways to cut your energy bills - making sure you use less gas and electricity for essential tasks including heating and cooking.
While every household in Ireland will again receive energy credits this winter, bills are expected to still remain high. With that in mind, many will be looking to cut costs wherever they can during the colder months.
But there are simple things you can do to cut your bills, according to the experts. Culinary experts from HelloFresh have shared energy-saving kitchen tips and recipes to help save money.
Use your oven less
Mimi suggests using your oven less and using the hob, air fryer or slow cooker where possible:
“You can cook plenty of interesting meals with the hob alone and this will save you a fair chunk, alternatives to using your oven are almost always going to use less energy as they don’t require as large a space to heat. The only time I’d recommend choosing an oven is with large families of 6+, where you might have to use the air fryer twice or use additional pans.”
Cut down on meat
If you eat a lot of meat, a simple and effective way to save money is to cut down on how many meat products you consume.
Mimi explains: “If you’re cooking with meat, you could always use a smaller portion and bulk out your dishes with beans or nuts. This not only allows your meat to go further but also a great way to add more variety to your diet. Alternatively, you can cut out meat for whole meals or all together. Nuts and legumes are great sources of protein and often add new textures to your plate.”
Put lids on your pans
Alright, hands up if you’ve boiled something without a lid on your pan!
Mimi reveals, “You’d be surprised at the amount of people that don’t know that using the lids on your pans saves you time and money. Since heat is trapped inside the pan, it gets hotter and your food is cooked quicker. It’s a win-win - food is served sooner and you’ve saved a little, too.”
Hand wash your dishes
The dishwasher is great and all, but are you aware of how much energy it is using?
Mimi explains: “Washing your dishes by hand is one way you can save energy, even more so if you have a larger family. Plus, there’s the fact that you can actually see if your dishes are clean or not and it’s less likely that your dishes will have to go in for another round. A simple, cost-effective change that will benefit you in the long run.”
The experts at BOXT have supplied some simple tips and tricks to make saving money easier as the cold snap approaches
Turn your thermostat down by 1°C - You can significantly reduce your energy usage by lowering the central heating temperature down by just one degree. This small change could reduce your heating expenses by up to 10%.
Use thermostatic radiator valves to control the temperature room by room - Installing thermostatic radiator valves and using them with your thermostat could save up to €86 per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. They recommend using the thermostat to control the heat in your main living space and using thermostatic radiator valves to lower the heating in rooms you don't use as often.
Reflect your radiators - This is a very handy and cost-effective hack to maximise the heat in your home. Cheap to purchase and easy to install, they can save you around €20 a year on your energy bills. By installing reflector panels behind your radiators, it will ensure that the warm air will be reflected back into the room rather than the heat bleeding into the walls.
Use insulation to make sure no heat is being wasted - In addition to the wall, roof and floor insulation keeping the heat in your home, insulating your water tank, pipes, and radiators is a quick and easy way to improve efficiency, saving energy and money. With options such as a hot water cylinder jacket, you can quickly start making improvements.
Don’t block your radiators - To avoid wasting money on your energy bill, make sure to move any furniture from in front of your radiators. This will block any heat from escaping, meaning you’ll use more energy to heat the room and therefore waste money. Additionally, make sure to clean your radiators. Layers of dust in your radiator can prevent heat from escaping effectively, meaning your radiators will have to work harder to warm your room.
The best length of time to put your heating on - The best times to turn your heating on are in the morning and during the day while at home. Setting your heating to come on just before you get up, and turning off an hour before you leave your home or go to sleep is the best way to control your home temperature and save money.
The temperature to set your heating at - The ideal room temperature during the winter is between 18°C and 20°C. During winter, it can be tempting to crank up the thermostat. But experimenting with different temperatures can both reduce energy bills and potentially lead to a better night’s sleep. Instead of setting one temperature across the whole day, try switching between daytime and nighttime temperatures, as this may make you more comfortable at home and also reduce your energy usage. Smart thermostats make this especially easy to program.
Use a smart meter - Smart meters can help you better understand your energy usage via the in-home display that comes with them. With more information on your day-to-day energy use, you can see when you’re using the most energy, and identify ways to cut back and in turn save money.
Other top tips to help households heat their homes efficiently and effectively this winter
Bleed your radiators: Air can enter the system and form bubbles at the top of your radiators, which stops them from working efficiently. If you notice cold spots at the top of your radiators, switch them off and after they cool, turn a radiator key in the valve at the top to let the air out.
TLC for your boiler : People often don’t give much thought to their boiler until something goes wrong with it – but regular services can prevent problems from arising at all.
Shut out the cold: You wouldn’t leave the back door open when the heating’s on, but warm air could still be escaping without you realising – and cold air could be sneaking in. Draught proofing around your windows and doors can save around €70 per year. Self-adhesive foam strips are easy to fit on windows to prevent draughts, while draught excluders are perfect if there’s a gap between your door and the floor. Your keyhole and letterbox can allow cold air into your home. Keyhole covers and letterbox brush strips are cheap to buy, quick and easy to fit and will stop those draughts.
Furnish for warmth: Think about where your heat sources are, and make sure your radiators can do their job properly. Putting your sofa in front of a radiator may keep the best spot in the house extra toasty, but it will absorb heat that could be warming the rest of the room. Curtains and rugs have an important part to play as well, because thick material (the thicker the better) prevents heat from being lost through windows and doors – just don’t forget to open your curtains during the day so that the sun can do some of the work!
Turn off radiators in rooms not in use: It’s important not to spend money heating spare rooms or other rooms not in use during the winter, so if you know a room isn’t going to be used, make sure you turn the radiator off and close the door to stop cold air circulating through the rest of the house. When you do need to use the room, just turn it back on ahead of time to heat it up.
Wrap your pipes up warm: Frozen condensate pipes can burst or crack when the water inside turns to ice. The best solution is to stop the water inside your pipes from freezing in the first place. Insulating materials are an easy, cost-effective solution, available from most DIY stores.
Heat your home, not your walls: Cover a thin sheet of card with tinfoil and place it behind your radiators (if you're feeling particularly crafty you can make it T-shaped so it sits on your radiator brackets). It'll reflect the heat back into your rooms, meaning they warm up faster and retain more heat.
Check your thermostat settings : It’s easy to turn the thermostat all the way up when it's freezing cold but what temperature should your house be? Aim to set your main room thermostat somewhere between 18°C and 21°C and you can save around 10 percent on your heating bills by turning it down by 1 degree. It's also a good idea to set your thermostat to one temperature and then use a timer to turn it on and off when you need the heating most. That way you won't waste excess energy from leaving the heating on too high, for too long.
Get your heating right for bedtime. Set your heating to start 15 minutes before you wake up and turn off 30 minutes before bed. This can save money and even help you get a better night’s sleep. You can also turn down the heat in any rooms not in use.
Be energy smart: Unsurprisingly, winter is peak season for energy usage. Making the most of smart tech like thermostats means you can control your heating on the go and avoid wasting money on energy you’re not using. For example, if you’re stuck at work or delayed on the way home, you can use your smartphone to stop the heating from coming on too early and warming up an empty house. Also, if you have a smart meter installed, you can see how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence, helping you to identify where you can make savings.
The experts at Utility Bidder have shared five ways homeowners can heat their homes for longer this autumn and winter, whilst keeping energy costs as low as possible.
1 - Utilise daylight - Ireland often experiences spells of bright sun throughout the autumn and winter months, so it’s important to use this to your advantage. Make sure to open all curtains and blinds so that the sunlight can help to heat up different rooms within the house.
2 - Strategically place furniture - It’s unlikely you’ll be able to last all of the autumn and winter months without putting the heat on, so to use as little energy as possible, make sure there are no items of furniture such as a sofa in front of the radiator, as this will soak up the majority of the heat. Instead, leave the radiators exposed in order for it to heat the whole room.
3 - Make the most of shower steam - When taking a hot shower, you’ll often find the bathroom becomes filled with steam which in turn produces heat. Before taking a shower, leave the bathroom door open so that some of the steam and heat warms the surrounding areas of the home, which will hopefully leave you feeling warmer for longer.
4 - Place curtains behind the radiator - When radiators within the home are turned on, it’s important to not allow the curtains to cover the radiator, as this will direct the heat towards the window. Instead, make sure the radiator is exposed by gently placing the curtains behind the radiator, which will help to heat the entire room.
5 - Keep out any drafts - It may sound simple but any areas exposed to drafts can bring in cold air and let warm air out. With this in mind, make sure all doors and a draft excluder at the bottom of them and don’t forget about pet flaps and letter boxes. If you can, fixing your letter box so that any drafts can’t enter the home will have a big impact.
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
