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TOP TIP Turn off upstairs lights from downstairs (and vice versa) with smart-bulb tech. It lets you take control when you’re out too!

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

While we can’t control global economics, we can help to ease the pain of winter fuel bills a little by learning how to get smart and stop using unnecessary levels of electricity. Scan our 10 savvy solutions on how to save money by making a few small changes…

01 FIX THE LEAK Vampire devices, such as TVs, games consoles, computers and microwaves, left on standby cost households an average of £147 a year, even when they’re not being used. Switching them off at the wall to save money makes sense but that isn’t always practical if sockets are hidden behind desks, beneath TV units or covered up by white goods. Consider fitting smart plugs that allow you to simply turn your sockets on or off from your mobile phone.

OHMAXX smart plug, £24.99 for a pack of three, Amazon 02 STACK SMART Be strategic with your dishwasher and fill it up as much as possible to ensure you only use it when it is totally full. Utilise the space as efficiently as you can – pack cups, glasses and cooking utensils on the top shelf, leaving space below for plates to be neatly stacked in a row, along with bowls and casserole dishes. By stacking smartly, you’ll need to use the dishwasher less and thus reduce your energy bills. 03 TOP OF THE CLASS One of the most simple yet effective things you can do to cut your electricity bill is to keep an eye on the energy label on your appliances. A newly revamped (2021) rating system indicates an A to G scale with the letter A as the highest class and G as the lowest. Pre-2021, this was a more confusing A+, A++ etc rating but this simplified version makes it easier for you to save energy by choosing a high-efficiency appliance. Although an A-class home appliance can be a financial investment initially, it will help you to lower your bills and bring huge savings in the long run.

Take part in an energy audit to find out where you’re using the most power

Smart thinking means saving money

04 LIGHT UP Modern LED lightbulbs are the most eco-friendly option you can buy. Using 85 per cent less energy than regular bulbs, by replacing your standard bulbs with LEDs you could shave money off your electricity bill. LEDs also last longer – used for six hours a day, they can run for almost 12 years – so you’ll not only save on your energy costs, but you won’t need to replace them so often.

05 GET ORGANISED Every minute that your lights are on it costs you money. Consider using smart bulbs that can be scheduled to turn on and off at set times. Smart scheduling means that your lights are on only when you need them to be and not a moment longer, saving you money.

06 GO AU NATUREL It’s tempting to turn your lights on and close the curtains early in the evening, but by keeping them open until sunset you can maximise the natural heat and light from the sun and save up to around 60 per cent on your lighting, compared to constantly having lights on.

07 COLD AS ICE There are several ways to make your fridge work harder for its money. By keeping the coils clean at the back on the fridge you will make your device more energy effective. When the fridge is full it also costs less to cool it. You don’t have to pack it with food – a jug of water will work so you get a cool drink and save on running water from the tap too.

08 BE IN THE KNOW By taking part in an energy audit, you can find out exactly where you’re using the most power and how you can cut this down. It will help you get a better handle on your spending. Many energy companies offer audits to help you pinpoint exactly where you can save power and how you can do this.

09 STAY IN MOTION Consider fitting easy-to-install motion sensors, so that your lights only come on when you enter a room and turn off when you leave. They’re ideal for hallways or kitchens, and if you have children who are too small to reach the light switch, or if you only want a landing light to turn on if they wake up overnight.

10 WASH WITH CARE When it comes to washing your clothes, longer cycles, such as a 3.5-hour ‘eco’ wash vs a ‘quick wash’, use less energy and water and take better care of your clothes. By lowering the temperature to 30ºC instead of 40ºC you can save up to 60 per cent of your energy consumption on washing. To reduce costs even further, use a machine with energy-saving credentials, such as the AEG models with ProSense technology. Each load is weighed to provide a tailored cycle.

Methodical stacking equals less washes TP-Link Tapo smart bulb, £8.98, Amazon

9000 Series washing machine, £999.99, AEG

NEXT MONTH: HOW TO CUT YOUR HE ATING US A GE