SO Energy Offers Valuable Winter Energy Saving Tips

As winter sets in and the days get darker, many residents are probably thinking about ways to keep their homes warm and cozy over the harsh cold weather season.

For those who are able to work from home under the UK government’s latest COVID-19 guidance, more time at home also means they’re using more energy to power their devices, boil the kettle, cook meals and keep the lights switched on.

All of this, of course, impacts the power bills, as well as the carbon footprint. SO Energy has put together a list of winter energy saving tips, which can help residents to keep warm, reduce their energy use, and save money on their power bills, over the coming months.

Tackle draughts

SO Energy has already mentioned the importance of excluding draughts on their blog previously, as it should be the first port of call, when ensuring the home isn’t losing any heat unnecessarily, especially during the winter months, when it matters more than ever.

Aside from using basic draught excluders under doors or around windows, it could be worth considering professional draught-proofing; if residents suspect that their home is losing a fair amount of heat (this is often especially the case in older buildings).

Installing draught-proofing

Installing draught-proofing for the whole home could help save residents between £25 - £50 per year

Installing draught-proofing for the whole home could help save residents anywhere between £25 - £50 per year on energy bills, and if for homes with a chimney, installing a chimney draught excluder could save an extra £20 a year.

The savings may not sound huge, but they’ll add up over the years, and home owners will reap the benefits, when they realize how much warmer the home feels.

Install radiator reflector panels

Residents might not have heard of them before, but reflective radiator panels can help to keep the home warmer by reflecting heat back into the room, which would otherwise be lost through the walls.

Consisting of a thin sheet or piece of foil, which is fitted behind the radiator, this simple hack means that heat bounces back into the home rather than escaping outside. Residents will stay warm, and less energy will be wasted – which is a clear win-win for everyone.

Replace the outdated boiler

If the boiler is over ten years old, it may well be worth getting it replaced with a newer, more energy-efficient model. Modern boilers are ‘condensing,’ which means that they recover heat from exhaust flue gas and use it to heat the central heating water, making them considerably more efficient than older boilers.

Alternatively, now might be the right time for residents to think about installing a heat pump, a low-carbon heating system, which in many cases can replace the gas boiler altogether. Weigh up the options available and how much money could be saved by replacing the boiler.

Unplug devices at the mains

Appliances, such as TVs, games consoles and laptops all use energy, when left on standby mode

When spending more time at home - especially over the Christmas holidays or when working from home - its likely residents will be using their devices a bit more than usual. It’s important to remember to switch them off, when they’re not in use, though.

Appliances, such as TVs, games consoles and laptops all use energy, when left on standby mode, with the Energy Savings Trust stating that up to £80 a year is wasted in the average home due to appliances left on standby mode. Don’t forget to turn them off at the socket, in order to help save energy and reduce the overall home energy bills.

Make sure to use energy saving light bulbs

If residents haven’t already, switch from bulbs to LED energy saving light bulbs, which use much less energy than traditional bulbs. According to the Energy Saving Trust, lighting makes up 15% of the average UK household electricity consumption, so making the switch could save money, as well as help the environment by cutting on carbon emissions.

While at it, make sure that while getting a Christmas tree this year, residents use LED energy saving bulbs, rather than traditional ones to decorate and light the tree for Christmas holidays. For outdoor lighting, residents could also consider installing solar-powered bulbs, which still work in winter and are a great choice for lighting up the garden in the festive season.