Christmas can be an expensive time of year, but you can cut costs this winter with the following energy saving tips.
Christmas can be an expensive time of year. Your energy bill can quickly shoot skyward as you find yourself preparing for the big day. Here are 12 energy saving tips to cut your consumption - and your bills - this winter.
Buying and decorating a real tree with baubles and tinsel instead of buying a plastic tree with electric powered lights will effectively reduce your electricity consumption. Plant it outside in the new year and you’ll be able to use it again next year, too!
Keep your decorations away from your radiator so maximum heat will be given out. Your room will heat up more quickly, saving you from turning up the thermostat unnecessarily.
Whether you’re decorating your tree or the outside of your home, use LED lights instead of normal incandescent ones. LED lights will save you around 80% of electrical power and they last longer too.
While your Christmas lights make the street look prettier, nobody will see them when you’re all in bed. Leaving them on overnight could cost you at least an additional £20.
Even though you might not like her handmade woollies, wrapping up warm will mean you’re less likely to turn the heating up
Cool things down in the kitchen by turning down the thermostat - enough warmth will be given off from your oven and all those sprouts you’re boiling.
Plan to perfection and cook multiple things at once to get efficient use from your oven. Cooking multiple dishes in an Energy Saving Trust recommended oven will reduce your consumption even further.
The festive season may cause the urge to abuse your dishwasher. Wait until it’s completely loaded before putting it on. Go one step further by using its economy programme.
After dinner, spend some quality time with your family by opting for traditional board games. By putting away new gadgets and devices and turning off the TV, you’ll keep consumption at a minimum.
It’s easy to forget about things when you’re rushing around with plates of appetisers and topping up drinks. Charging things that are at 100% still drives costs up, while leaving chargers plugged without connecting them to their device, still consumes .26 watts of energy.
As the night draws to a close, you’ll want to slip into bed in a food-induced stupor. But before you relax, make a special effort to switch everything off rather than leaving it on standby. Electronics left on standby contribute to 10% - 15% of the yearly household energy bill.
Your chimney is not only a source of draughts, but it also allows a lot of heat to escape from your house. By blocking up any chimneys which aren’t being used with a chimney balloon or a fireplace shield, you could save hundreds of pounds in heating bills. Just remember to leave a note for Santa asking him to use the front door!
Do you have any great energy saving tips to keep costs down this winter? Share them below in the comments!