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How To Lower Utility Bills: A Guide

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Reducing your student energy bills can help you save a ton of money.

With household utility bills at an all-time high and greener, more energy-efficient lifestyles being a key concern, this is more important than ever before.

But with a few clever tricks, you can slash those utility bills and spread the cost without headache or stress. Here are some tips.

Take Shorter Showers

Did you know that your long, luxurious hot shower could be causing your energy bills to spike?

“Showers account for about 25% of domestic water use,” say We Are Do Nation, “...cutting shower time by just one minute would save British households £215 million on energy bills each year.”

Turn the temperature down (if you can) and keep them to less than 10 minutes to see a huge difference to your energy bills.

Use Smart Power Strips

You could save around £55 in energy each year by turning your appliances off standby or unplugging them, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

This is because, even when you’re not using your TV, mobile phone charger, washing machine or other household appliance, they’re using energy and increasing your energy bills.

Start by unplugging everything that’s not in use then consider switching to a smart power strip (extension cable) that will automatically cut off the electric current when you’re not using them.

Although they do cost more, they’re worth the investment as the energy savings can be huge.

Try Cooler Washes

If you wash your clothes at lower temperatures, you’re not just reducing your impact on the planet but could also save yourself a huge amount of money.

Consider turning down the temperature to around 30℃ or 40℃, or better still, choose an eco-wash or quick wash unless your clothes are very grimy or stained. Do this and you could take around 40% off your bills.

Other money-saving laundry tips include:

  • Wait to have a full load before running the machine
  • Use an extra spin cycle to remove extra water
  • Hang clothes on the washing line whenever possible

Keep Optimal Fridge & Freezer Temps

Many of us don’t even think about the temperature of our fridge and freezer, especially when we’re living in a student rental.

But with the cost of using these appliances at between £5 and £14 per month, you could make big energy savings if you reduce them within a safe range.

Our aim here is to keep your food cool without causing your appliance to work harder than it has to. For best results, set your fridge at 3-5℃  and your freezer at -18℃.

Make even bigger energy savings by allowing hot food to cool before you pop it inside, keep that door closed and make sure your seals are working properly.

Turn Down The Heat At Night

When you’re tucked up in your bed, you are unlikely to need your central heating turned up high. If you do, you could end up struggling to sleep, getting hot and sweaty and running up those energy bills.

For the most refreshing night’s sleep, we need a room temperature around 16-18°C, according to Bed Advice.co.uk so turn that thermostat down.

If you can, programme your thermostat to turn down when you’re heading to bed so you don’t need to struggle to remember or turn it off completely if it’s not needed.

Follow these easy tips and you’ll reduce your utility bills, spend less and have more left over for the fun stuff. Limit your time in the shower, wash your clothes on a different programme, use a smart power strip, tweak your fridge-freezer settings and turn down that thermostat and you’ll be surprised at the difference.

Want to stop worrying about your energy bills and make them easier to pay?

Find out how Glide can help by getting in touch today.

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