With a large chunk of our household budgets spent on energy bills, it makes sense to look for ways to reduce the amount of gas and electricity we use. Not only can this help improve our expenditure per month, but it can also have a positive impact on our carbon footprint!

Check out the steps below to consider how you could reduce your energy usage in the home.

Monitor your usage and check your bills

The best way to understand your usage and help identify where you may be able to cut back is by reviewing your bills. Whether these are monthly, quarterly or annually, reviewing your bills can be a great starting point. If you’re not sure what your bills mean, or you have any queries – get in touch with your supplier who will be able to talk you through. If you haven’t done already, also consider swapping to paperless billing, allowing you to view all of your bills and correspondence online one place. If you have a Smart meter with an In-Home Display, you may have daily and weekly budgeting functions. Use your display to help better understand how your home and appliances use energy, as you can’t manage what you can’t measure.

Switch off standby

A quick and easy way to reduce your usage is to simply make sure you switch off your electrical appliances properly, rather than leaving them on standby. Most things can be switched off without it affecting any programming or settings, but if you’re not sure – refer back to your instructions or manual.

Turn down the heat

It can be tempting to turn up the heat when it starts to get cold but it's important not to unnecessarily overheat the home and keep an eye on the thermostat. Try setting your heating timer to come on a bit earlier than normal, but at a slightly lower temperature. Keeping your home at a steady temperature can use less energy, a good temperature is 18°C - 21°C.

Use less energy with appliances

Try cutting back on how often you use the washing machine or dishwasher per week and always ensure you do washes with a full load. When using the washing machine, try to wash at 30 degrees, only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need to use at the time and aim to keep your showers as short as possible.

Turn off the lights and switch to energy efficient lightbulbs

As the clocks have gone back and the days get shorter, it can be tempting to switch all the lights on in the home, but this can increase our energy usage significantly. Try to get into the habit of switching lights off in rooms you aren’t using and encourage your household to do the same. And, if any of your lightbulbs need replacing, opt for an energy efficient bulb which can help you save money on energy too!