With the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many of us right now, from rising food prices to the cost of fuel and our energy bills, Female First has these exclusive seven tips from CUBES Founder Jo Gilbert, an expert in the energy sector. CUBES (www.mycubes.uk) is a consumer champion, helping you to effectively manage your utility bills, saving you time and stress, and in some instances money too.
Jo Gilbert
The reason I’ve chosen these seven energy saving tips from an extensive list of 69 available on our website, is because they will not only save you money, but they’re really simple to do right now. It’s not a case of going to the shops and spending even more money on gadgets or items.
Tip 1 – wash your clothes on the cold setting
Washing detergent has advanced so much over recent years that we no longer need to wash our clothes at higher temperatures to get them clean.
If you make this small change to choose the cold or no higher than 30 degrees setting when washing your clothes, you will save money. By using colder water, the washing machine does not have to use more energy to heat up the water, therefore, using less energy.
Tip 2 – turn your water thermostat down a few degrees
If you find yourself adding cold water to your shower mixer tap or adding cold water whilst running a bath, then you can comfortably turn your water heat setting down a few degrees. Try to get it so you don’t need to add cold water to get a comfortable temperature of water.
If you are cooling hot water, then you are wasting energy and literally throwing your money down the plug hole. We can all make this simple change to save on energy costs.
Tip 3 – don’t leave appliances on standby
Whenever you leave an appliance on standby - rather than switching it off at the plug - it continues to drain energy. According to Energy Saving Trust research, between 9-16% of the electricity consumed in homes is used to power appliances when they are in this standby mode. This wastage can add up to £86 to an annual electricity bill.
Tip 4 – bleed your radiators
When you bleed a radiator, you release air that has become trapped inside, which improves the efficiency of your heating system. This means a warmer home and cheaper energy bills.
Tip 5 – turn down your thermostat
Just one degree lower could save you £80 a year. Set a timer on your thermostat for your heating to come on only when you need it.
Tip 6 – boil only as much water as you need
Make sure you fill the kettle with exactly the right amount of water – it will heat faster and not waste energy. Plus, you won’t then be re-boiling the same water later when you fancy your next cup of tea or coffee.
Tip 7 – move furniture away from external walls
The way your furniture is arranged can have a huge impact on how warm or cool you feel in a room. If you keep catching yourself cranking up the heating and your sofa is against an exterior wall, try moving it.
Always make sure that any energy savings measures you complete are safe to do so.
Your home should be heated to a safe temperature of 18-20 degrees. If your home drops below this, you may be putting your health at risk of cold related illnesses.
Consider whether it is cheaper for you to use more gas than electricity or vice versa.
Jo Gilbert is the Founder of CUBES (Customer Utility Bills Expertly Serviced) helping the millions of householders affected by soaring energy costs. All of CUBES’ net profit will go to the Butterfly House Foundation, where the funding will go to create local centres and initiatives to support the most vulnerable.
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