With rising electricity costs and temperatures dropping below zero, we are all trying to find innovative ways to save money, especially with our energy bills. Several countries put a cap on energy. However, the move alone isn’t enough to alleviate the pressure that many households across Europe and the world face. Here are 5 ways to save energy this winter.
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5 Ways To Save Energy This Year
1. Dry Your Clothes Naturally
For those who own a dryer for their clothes, you may want to stop using it. They use a lot of energy that can ramp up those energy bills.
Start drying your clothes naturally by hanging them up on an airer or a washing line. However, avoid using a washing line during winter because it is damp outside and may take longer to dry.
Get yourself an airer and place it next to a radiator or heater. Ensure you do not put it too close to the heater where it can catch fire, and do not leave it unattended. You can also place it next to a dehumidifier to help dry them. These are efficient and can dry your clothes much quicker than leaving them in the air to dry alone.
Below is a breakdown of the cost per hour for tumble dryers, dehumidifiers, and heaters.
- Dehumidifier (extracts 20 litres of water per day) costs 16p per hour.
- Tumble dryer costs roughly £1.70 per cycle.
- Fan heater (2kW) would cost 68p per hour however this would take much longer than both tumble dryers and dehumidifiers.
2. Draught Excluders & Window Caulking
Draught excluders are another investment for those who live in old apartments and houses. Furthermore, if you know your doors or windows are ageing, you will want to invest in a draft excluder for them. Although these are not massive money savers, they can keep your home warmer for much longer.
Window caulking is the solution for your windows. It is affordable and is a great first line of defence against those winter drafts. The older your windows are, the worse the draught can be, so window caulking is a modern solution.
3. Air Fryer, Microwaves, and Slow Cooker Season
When it comes to the winter months, the last thing you want to be eating is cold food. You will want something warm, especially after a long day at work in freezing temperatures. Using your oven every day to bake or heat up your meals can get very expensive in the long term.
If you are looking for a more cost-efficient alternative and you do not want to miss out on the quality of your food, use air fryers or slow cookers instead. These are great investments and will not affect or alter the quality of your food.
Another thing you want to do this winter is meal preparation. Cook your food in batches so you have enough for multiple meals. Once you have finished cooking it, you can then put several portions into different containers. All you will need to do is reheat it in the microwave when you want to eat it.
4. Hot Water Bottles, Hand Warmers, Heated Blankets
There is nothing better than a hot water bottle when you struggle to get warm. Furthermore, you can put your hot water bottle underneath a blanket whilst binge-watching your favourite television series. It is a great solution to not putting your heating on.
Something else that you can do is purchase a heated blanket or a hoodie (yes, heated hoodies do exist). Whether you want to buy a hoodie or a blanket, these are simple solutions to those cold winter nights so make sure you are well-prepared to save money this winter.
5. Windows & Curtains
We have already touched on window caulking but there is more you can do to ensure your home stays warm. You can opt for window blinds and curtains to control and reduce the light that penetrates inside your house. However, these can also be great for keeping out the cold air. We suggest you start using both curtains and blinds to keep out the cold air and keep the warm air inside your home.
We advise you to buy blinds which use a thermal material. There are many blinds and curtains which are great and have a thermal material to keep the heat in. Furthermore, you will need different types in each of your rooms. For example, If you are buying blinds for your bathroom, you will need to ensure they are metal blinds, similar to the style of some conservatory roof blinds. The reason why is so they don’t rot and mould from the dampness in the bathroom, and they are easier to clean.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several ways to ensure you are not going crazy with your energy bills this year. Yes, it involves purchasing other items but will save you money in the long run. Air fryers are one of the most efficient things you can own for your kitchen so it is definitely worth the investment.
This year, it will be likely that you are trying to avoid using central heating as much as possible. That is why you must invest in energy-efficient heaters as well as a dehumidifier for drying your clothes.
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