Unexpected Tips To Manage The Rising Energy Costs
Energy costs are expected to increase by over 50% from April 2022. For countless households in the UK, this could mean the beginning of energy poverty. Indeed, experts warn about soaring costs of up to £700 on top of the existing energy costs for the average British household.
Unfortunately, with no opportunity to switch to a more cost-effective provider, Britons need to get creative. Many households worry about sacrificing comfort to keep energy bills manageable. However, it isn’t a suitable solution for the long term. Reducing your energy consumption drastically can have serious consequences on your health.
So, what can be done to make your energy bills more manageable?
Consider your home insulation solutions
The UK has the least energy-efficient properties in Europe. Only 8 million homes in the UK meet energy standards. How much can you save through adequate insulation solutions? According to the Renewable Energy Hub, having modern and suitable insulation installed in your property could save you a lot of money:
- £140 worth of saving through cavity wall insulation
- Up to £180 worth of saving through loft insulation
- £460 worth of saving through solid wall internal insulation
- £490 worth of saving through solid wall external insulation
Consider energy-sufficient building
Living in an old property naturally increases your costs in terms of insulation and maintenance. As there are only so much you can do to maintain your household budget; sometimes it is worth reaching out to a mortgage adviser to explore your options. You might find that you could move to a newer property that will keep your energy consumption at a manageable level, and it could be a better decision in the long term.
Research money-saving solutions for everyday expenses
While you may not be able to save on your energy costs, you can create savings in other budget areas. Something as simple as using loyalty points, such as your Nectar points, could create significant savings at the end of the year. It could be a good idea to compare the current loyalty programmes you use. As a comparison, Tesco Clubcard gives back more than Nectar points. So, you may find that switching or combining loyalty points could help towards paying your energy costs!
Should you use renewable energy?
Installing solar panels to your home now costs under £5,000. While it isn’t a small investment, you can expect to save approximately 25% on your energy costs through solar panels, according to the Energy Saving Trust. In the long term, solar panels can become a beneficial decision for your household, despite the installation cost.
Transform your thinking about heating
Heating costs tend to be high in the UK. However, you can make smart additions to your interior to transform your heating use:
- Adding thermal curtains to windows and doors will prevent heat loss in winter. It will also keep the external heat at bay in summer.
- Monitoring your humidity levels at home can make a big difference. Ideally, your household should record between 40% and 50% moisture in the air. If the air is too dry, it can feel cold even when the heating is on. Adding an air humidifier to the room can help keep your heating costs low.
The bottom line: You don’t need to heat up more to keep your house warm!
In conclusion, hopefully, these few tips can help you approach the expected energy cost crisis with a more relaxed mindset. Understanding how to best manage your costs and energy use can make a huge difference to your household budget.
*This is a collaborative post.
