Reduce Your Energy Costs and Take Control of Your Finances This Summer
As the summer months approach, it’s a great time to start thinking about ways to reduce your energy costs and take control of your finances. With the help of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, you can learn how to manage your energy bills more effectively through their Reduce Your Use campaign.
Engaging with your energy supplier is key to finding solutions for your energy bills. Whether you’re facing financial difficulties or simply want to be better prepared for the winter, your energy supplier can provide assistance. By engaging with them, you are protected from disconnection, especially if you’re registered as a vulnerable customer. Additionally, your supplier may offer you a repayment plan to help ease the burden. Take advantage of these services by reaching out to your energy supplier today.
Creating a budget is another effective way to track your energy bills and identify areas where you can cut back. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) provides helpful tips and tools like the CCPC’s spending calculator and MABS’ weekly spending diary, which make budgeting easy and effective. By examining your costs and categorizing them as fixed or variable, you’ll discover that certain expenses like electricity and gas tend to be lower in the summer. By setting money aside for these variable costs, you can better manage them when they increase during the winter months.
Adopting energy-saving habits in your daily life can also make a significant difference in your energy costs. For example, only heat water when you need it and consider slightly lowering the temperature when you shower. Opt for showers instead of baths to conserve water, and ask your plumber to review your water settings during your boiler servicing. Moreover, you can insulate your water tank and hot water pipes with foam tubing and install an immersion timer to reduce your hot water usage.
Identify which appliances in your home consume the most energy and evaluate their usage. Try to avoid using these appliances during peak times to alleviate pressure on the grid. Many newer appliances have delay settings that allow you to schedule their usage outside of these peak hours. When it comes to laundry and dishes, use lower temperatures on your washing machine and dishwasher, and wait until you have a full load to run them. Don’t forget to unplug your appliances when they’re not in use to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Maximizing the efficiency of your lighting can also contribute to energy savings. Only use lights when necessary and remember to turn them off when you leave a room. Replace your old, inefficient light bulbs with low-energy LED lights, starting with the lamps in the most frequently used rooms of your home.
During the summer, there may still be a need for heating, particularly on cooler evenings. But instead of heating your entire home, focus on heating the specific room you’re using or simply put on a sweater to stay warm. It’s also essential to service your boiler annually to ensure it runs efficiently.
While reducing your heating during the summer can significantly lower your energy bills, it’s important to continue setting aside money to help prepare for the winter months, when energy costs tend to rise.
By taking these steps and incorporating energy-saving practices into your daily routine, you can reduce your energy costs and gain control over your finances this summer. Remember, small changes can make a big difference when it comes to managing your energy consumption and saving money. For more information on how to cut back on your energy costs, visit gov.ie/ReduceYourUse.
