In order to really save on your energy usage it is important to get into good habits. We all have lots of appliances that use electricity and they will eat up your money – especially the ones that heat up. Here are some tips that really work –
Switching off your appliances at the wall switch before you go to bed – all appliances use more electricity than you think when on standby.
Remember to switch off your iron, your oven and any electric cooking appliances separately plugged in, a few minutes before you finish. They will retain heat for some time, and usually this is wasted if you only switch off when you have finished.
Use your kettle wisely- it is the ultimate energy eater- as soon as boils switch off by hand – if you wait for the thermostat it will use electricity longer – and fill your kitchen with steam. Also, note that instant coffee is better made with water that is not quite boiling. Only put the amount of water in the kettle you need to use now – though some canny people will store excess boiling water in the kettle in a small flask to make a drink later.
Try to fill your oven when you use it – you can devise meals that can all fit into the oven (roast your vegetables instead of boiling them for example). Or if you are baking or making a pie make several and freeze some for later.
Another heating appliance that just sucks up your money is the tumble dryer. Line drying is free and even the smallest yard will fit a collapsible drier in it. If the weather won’t dry your clothes then you may have a radiator you can use – but don’t use this unless you have good ventilation- a fan or window- to the outside as the last thing you want is to get mould and fungus from too much humidity.