How to Save Money on Energy Bills
Many power companies offer a free home energy audit that can help identify cost-cutting opportunities. Insulation, air sealing and changing to more efficient appliances can help lower your electricity bill. According to the Department of Energy, unplugging electronics that aren’t in use can save up to 10% a year. Using timers or power strips can also help.
If you would like to read more information or learn more about the pricing of business energy, you can do so here .
How to Save Money on Energy Bills in the UK
Saving money on energy bills involves adopting energy-efficient practices and making smart choices in your home or business. Here are some practical tips to reduce your energy costs:
Upgrade to LED Lighting
Seal Leaks
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Maintain HVAC Systems
Unplug Electronics
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
Insulate Your Home
Use Natural Light
Limit Hot Water Usage
Cook Efficiently
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Air Dry Clothes
Plant Trees and Shade
Upgrade Windows.
Reduce Phantom Loads
Energy Audit
Government Incentives
By implementing these energy-saving measures, you can reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills while contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Understanding Your Energy Bill
The total cost of generating power and delivering it to your home or business is the total cost. These costs include the operating costs, fuel and generation costs, and network costs.
Wholesale Supply Cost = Fuel + Generation + Transmission + Billing costs.
Network Costs = Operating Costs + Fuel + Generation + Billing.
Total Cost = Wholesale Supply Cost + Network Costs.
Why Are Energy Bills So High?
Energy bills in the UK have been on the rise for several reasons. One significant factor is the increasing cost of wholesale energy, driven by factors such as fluctuating global gas prices and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, government policies, including environmental levies and taxes, contribute to higher bills as they support renewable energy initiatives and infrastructure upgrades. Finally, the upkeep and investment in the aging energy infrastructure also drive up costs. These combined factors have led to the recent increase in energy bills for consumers in the UK.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Energy costs can be a significant portion of any household budget. Fortunately, there are several ways to cut those bills without making significant lifestyle changes or buying expensive equipment. One of the best and easiest is installing a programmable thermostat that automatically lowers your heating or cooling settings when you aren’t home. Programmable thermostats work by analyzing your typical daily schedule to determine when your family is typically home and when it’s empty, then adjusting the temperature accordingly.
By lowering your home’s temperature for 8+ hours daily, you can save 5- 15% on electricity costs. This may sound like a small change, but when added up over a year, it can add up.
Replace Old Lightbulbs
If your home has old incandescent or halogen light bulbs, switch them to LED. These energy-efficient bulbs are brighter than traditional bulbs and come in various styles to fit most fixtures. They also use less electricity, saving you money in the long run. Plus, they last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and contain no mercury. Similarly, replace your standard or decorative light strings with LEDs. These bulbs can be dimmed to set a mood and still save energy. You can find a wide range of energy-efficient LED bulbs at your local hardware store.
You may save even more by having an expert conduct an in-home energy assessment. These are often available from local utility companies and private firms and can help you identify ways to limit wasteful energy usage in your home. They may suggest swapping out incandescent and halogen bulbs for more efficient alternatives, testing your doors and windows for leaks that allow cold air to enter or warm air to escape and unplugging electronics to avoid “phantom” energy use when they’re not being used.
Seal Leaks
When windows aren’t sealed properly, they leak warm or cool air, forcing your furnace or AC to work harder. This can cause them to wear out faster and cost you more money over time. In this video from the Home Experts, contractor Nathan Gilbert and tech expert Ross Trethewey explain how to make your existing windows more energy-efficient. They show how to use caulking and other materials to create a tight seal around the window frame. They also discuss testing for air leaks by blowing out a candle and placing it in front of the window. If the smoke moves, there’s a draft or leak, and you should fill in the area with caulking.
This simple DIY project can help save you money on your energy bills. It’s essential to do regular maintenance and testing to keep your energy costs low. Also, consider replacing your water heater with a new one that’s more energy efficient.
Install a Programmable Timer
You can use timers if you’re tired of reminding family members to turn off the lights and other electronics. These simple, inexpensive devices are easy to install. Some have digital displays that allow you to set them at specific times of the day. Others have mechanical switches that can be activated at specific intervals. Always ensure the wattage rating of the timer matches the power consumption of the device you want to control. You can put lights on timers to automatically switch on at dusk and off at dawn, and you can use them for appliances like your pool pump or a decorative water fountain.
What Are Biomass Boilers?
To understand how a biomass boiler can reduce the cost of energy bills, you must first acknowledge what they are and how they work. Firstly, biomass is a material that comes from an organic source, namely plants or animals, which can be burnt to provide us with energy. The concepts of traditional and biomass boilers are the same: they both create thermal energy, which can heat the building and provide hot water.
The difference is that biomass boilers burn biomass like wood to create heat, while ordinary boilers use gas or oil as their energy source. Wood is a renewable resource; as it is obtained from trees, we can continue planting, meaning that it is recyclable and better for the environment. Although wood combustion does release carbon dioxide, this is balanced by trees taking it in, so the process is considered sustainable. Therefore, it is cheaper than oil and gas. It is also better for the environment.
Before deciding on a biomass boiler, you must first recognise the different types. For example, the most popular types use wood, which can come in pellets, chips or logs. If you decided you did not want to use wood, as sometimes it can be inconvenient to find and transport to your business, you can also use animal waste or food waste should it be more accessible.
How Can Biomass Boilers Save Your Business Money?
1. Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme
The Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a system designed by the government, which encourages both businesses to use renewable energy that is more eco-friendly than non-renewable resources, which emit greenhouse gases when burnt. It is aimed to assist the government in their net-zero strategy whereby carbon emissions should equal the amount of carbon absorbed.
Essentially, the RHI recognises that the one-time installation costs of renewable energy like biomass boilers are expensive, with costs reaching ranging from £5,000 to £20,000. The aim is for the government to pay you for the heat you obtain with the renewable sources for 20 years, and as a result, you are compensated for the high cost of the installation prior. The more energy you create, the more money you are given; this depends on multiple factors.
For example, if you only have one sustainable energy source, you will be paid less. Similarly, your payment will be lower if you have a poor energy performance certificate.
To qualify for and keep the RHI, you must maintain the laid out requirements. This means the biomass boiler must be installed by a qualified professional, ensure meters are working and accurate, send meter reading every three months, record how much wood has been used.
2. Biomass Boilers are Cheaper than Non-Renewable Resources
Generally, biomass is much cheaper to obtain than non-renewable resources. For example, gas costs almost £0.05p per kWh, whilst wood chips cost £0.03p. Although this does not seem significant, the average business uses approximately 6000 kWh per month, demonstrating how much money can be saved long-term. Even when factoring in the costs of delivering the wood or travelling to obtain it, biomass boilers are still cheaper overall and, as a result, can save you money when looking at the bigger picture.
Additionally, even though biomass boilers require more frequent maintenance, they last for a more extended period (almost two times longer) than traditional boilers. They hence do not have to be replaced as quickly. Manually cleaning them by removing the debris left behind like ash should be done at least twice a month; however, this is not expensive, nor does it take much time. Furthermore, they are serviced annually similarly to regular boilers by inspecting the individual parts and checking that they work correctly and efficiently, and then cleaning them or replacing parts if necessary.
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Save Money on Energy Bills – Other useful links about Business Energy:
Green Initiatives For Your Business
Underfloor Heating
GB Energy
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