There’s little doubt we live in a challenging world. Over the last few years, we’ve all had to deal with the effects of COVID-19, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and now, dramatic tariffs from President Trump.
That’s not even mentioning climate change and various natural disasters.
According to Canstar Blue, the average annual electricity charge is £1,200 a year (or £100 a month). There’s no point in being constantly cold or too hot. However, you also don’t want to spend more than you have to on energy.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep at the perfect temperature without wasting energy.
Upgrade and programme your AC
It can seem counterintuitive to spend money on a new air conditioner. However, it’s actually a great investment that will pay for itself in a surprisingly short time. Why? Because it’s energy efficient and therefore uses less energy.
Alongside this, make sure you have a programmable thermostat. You don’t want your AC being left on all day just to ensure your house is cool when you come home from work.
Using a programmable thermostat you should set your house temperature to around 20°C when you’re at home. When you’re at work or out for other scheduled activities, increase the temperature to around 25°C to avoid overcooling when you aren’t there.
It will save you energy but can quickly be brought back to a comfortable temperature before you get home again.
You should note, cranking up the air conditioning to cool the house faster doesn’t work. It will simply place more strain on your AC and increase the likelihood of a breakdown.
Remember, when setting temperatures, consider what you find comfortable. If you can handle 22°C or 23°C then set your AC at this. Every degree warmer will save you money.
Turn your heating down
Of course, the opposite is true when you’re looking at heating in the winter. Again, it’s worth setting a programmable thermostat to maintain the temperature when you’re in and keep it lower when you’re out.
Set the temperature as low as you can comfortably enjoy. Don’t forget to add extra layers as this costs nothing and can potentially allow you to drop the thermostat to 18°C when you’re at home. It can be as low as 13°C when you’re out.
If you really want to minimise your energy costs, you should consider investing in a heat pump. This can keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They’re designed to run all the time and use less energy than traditional ACs and heating systems.
Maintenance
Don’t put off regular maintenance; it can cost you dearly. For example, it’s time to clean or replace the air filters, but you decide to wait an extra month.
This can simply mean that the AC or heating system has to work harder and that will cost you more money.
It can also mean that airflow is so diminished that the AC or heating system fails. That’s a lot more money.
Look after your AC and heating systems, and they’ll look after you.
Insulation
If your house isn’t already insulated, then it should be. Insulation is the best way of keeping warm air or cold air inside.
Alongside this, make sure there are no cracks or other gaps around windows, doors, and even in your walls. These will all allow your heated or cooled air to escape. When that happens, the air has to be heated or cooled again, costing you more money.
Cover your windows
We’ve all stood in front of a window or doorway and enjoyed the feeling of warm sunshine on our back. It’s great in the spring and autumn. In the summer, the sunshine can quickly increase the temperature of your home, making your AC work harder and costing you more money.
Blinds, shutters, or simply thermal curtains can all help to keep the sunshine out. Alternatively, you can use reflective film over your windows. These effectively reduce the amount of heat that can get into your home. At the same time, they still allow light in.
Check your other appliances
Ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances all produce heat when they work. Wherever possible run these items at night. It will reduce their ability to push up the temperature and make your AC work harder.
Summing up
The key to keeping your home’s temperature right and saving energy is to look at what you’re currently doing. Then, make a few simple tweaks. This includes adjusting to a slightly warmer (summer) or cooler (winter) temperature, insulating your home, and maintaining your equipment regularly.
You’ll be surprised at how much energy, and therefore money, you can save.
