Let us breakdown the task in to its elements so as to make it an achievable one. To save £500 a year on your utilities, you are required to save £1.50 or less a day; is it going to be easy?
Let’s see now by ripping open all and sundry opportunities how to obtain cheaper utility bills.
Scientifically, 780F temperature keeps us reasonably comfortable but we tend to relish cold in summer and set the air conditioner’s thermostat to 750F. This inflates our utility bill by a flat 18% per day through the summer . If you are not happy , try opening the window, running a ceiling fan or diving into your pool, just whatever that saves at least 13-15% of it. If you use the AC for 12-13 hours a day and 3-5 months a year that saves a lot. The up keep of your AC, and its filter in perfect condition is essential.
Same principle works with a heating system. For every 10F reduced on the heater, you will save a percentage on fuel costs annually . Do not forget to turn it down every night before going to bed if it does not setback automatically.
Tips: Have your home insulated literally everywhere; seal air leaks regardless of winter or summer, un-clutter the corners, reduce day heating to 680F, put off unnecessary lights outdoors and indoors, use lights just when necessary, install energy efficient CFL lamps. You might already be aware, these CFL lamps are wonderful things; they help save over 50% energy on lighting. 4-7 lamps on for 4 hours a day is a lot when calculated on annual consumption. Also topping your tank up with 2-3 days worth of fuel instead of all the way to the top, as in the summer months this can easily evaporate.
I would say these three elements contribute to saving the bulk of £500 for you and we are not done yet. We have refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, dishwasher, launderer, water heater, oven and cooking stoves to mind. Remember most of these don’t just consume electric power but also enormous quantity of water and detergent which again cost a considerable amount of money if you ever took the time to calculate the overall expenses per year.
If this did not add up to £500, here is the best tip I saved for the last year; cut down on entertainment, TV/videos, develop interest in leisure activities like swimming, cycling or reading etc instead, and spend vacations nearby. Switch and combine all of your utility bills with the Utility Warehouse and that is the simplest way as all of the above is irrelevant due to the fantastic savings on offer.
Be imaginative, save more, and have more to spend on those luxuries in life.
