As the seasons change and temperatures go down in the UK, the demand for utilities – specifically gas and electricity – goes up. And many are looking forward to the weather warming up later in the year when energy use and bills can start decreasing again.
From heating up the house through chilly winters to cooling it down in the summer, understanding the effect the seasons have on energy demands is important for managing your utility costs. Here’s why seasons matter, and how to get around these fluctuations to keep your utility bills as low as possible.
Winter woes cause higher heating costs
The winter brings darker days, icy winds, frost, snow, and colder temperatures all around. So it’ll come as no surprise that this all leads to increased heating usage in an effort to stay warm.
If you’re thinking twice about switching the heating on though, even on the coldest of days, you’re not alone. With the cost of living crisis going strong and soaring energy costs making life even more difficult for many, many of us are looking for more ways to cut costs wherever possible.
One of the best ways to keep warm without watching your boiler burn through precious pounds and pence is to explore more energy-efficient ways of keeping the heat in your home – and keeping the cold out.
For example, blocking up draughts can be the cheapest way to keep your home warm. It can be as quick and inexpensive as putting an old rag at the bottom of your front door or lining your window frames with window draught tape.
If you’re a homeowner, remember that heat rises and can escape through the roof, and it might be a good idea to get your loft properly insulated. While this option might have a bigger initial outlay, it could save you lots more money in the long run.
Getting a smart thermostat installed could also help you save energy and money by giving you even more control over your heating. Smart thermostats let you schedule your heating remotely with an app on your smartphone, and can be set up to control individual rooms too.
Keeping cool in the summer while avoiding surges
While summers seem to get hotter and hotter, it’s also getting more challenging to keep cool. Unlike other countries, UK homes are usually designed to keep the heat in during winter – which is a double-edged sword in the summer, when the last thing you want is to keep the heat in.
Air conditioners provide relief, but, like heating in winter, can be quite energy-heavy to run for extended periods.
Regular fans are much more inexpensive to run, and you can try putting a bowl of icy water in front of your fan to help cool the air blowing out of it.
Much like on cold days, it’s a good idea to block out any drafts coming into the home on very hot days during the daytime. Close the curtains to stop the sun from coming in and heating the house up like a greenhouse. As soon as the sun goes down, throw open your windows to let the cooler air in and the hot air in your house out – you can do this first thing in the morning before the sun rises too high, too.
More natural home cooling ideas include switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs, which give off less heat than incandescent bulbs, and avoiding using your oven to cook. This means switching to your microwave or pressure cooker, and having a great excuse to use the barbecue more often.
Making the most of off-peak opportunities
Switching to time of use tariffs can give you the chance to save money by using energy using cheaper, off-peak hours.
Off-peak hours are when demand for energy is typically lower than at other times, which is why it’s cheaper. So it’s typically cheaper late at night, and sometimes rates change during the season too. After all, demand for energy is typically higher during the winter months.
Once you’re on a time of use tariff, you can then take steps to change your habits so that you’re using more of your energy during off-peak hours. For example, running the washing machine later at night instead of at 6pm when everyone comes home from work.
You can also make the most of free smart meter upgrades. Not the same as smart thermostats, smart meters track your energy use in near-real-time and display it in pounds and pence. This makes it easier to keep track of how much energy you use, and lets you take steps to save more energy and money.
Handy tips for year-round energy-efficiency
Don’t just think about heating and cooling systems when it comes to saving energy – anything powered by electricity in your home could be an opportunity to save. And you can save all year round, regardless of the season.
For example, doing something as simple as making sure you switch lights off when you’re not in the room, or switching electronics off by the mains at the end of the day, could see your savings stack up at the end of the year. As well as keeping the back of the fridge clean and clearing your freezer of excess ice build-up to make sure they’re running efficiently.
Even just being energy-conscious in general, like only boiling the amount of water you need for that one cup of tea, can make a difference over time.
Plus, you can save money with a cashback card, for example when you use one while buying new energy-saving appliances. The UW Cashback Card in particular can see your savings come straight off your energy bill with them.
And if you bundle your home services with Utility Warehouse (UW), you’ll unlock additional savings with them too.
You don’t have to follow every single one of these steps to the letter to start saving energy and money. But by understanding how you use energy throughout the year and through the different seasons, UK residents can take control of their energy usage and proactively manage their bills better. And any action from the smallest lifestyle changes to investing in energy-efficient solutions can help you create a sustainable, more budget-friendly home.
