Looking to stay cool this summer? As we ride out the highs and lows of another good old British summer, here’s how you can keep comfortable while saving some money on your energy bills and reducing your CO2 emissions at the same time.
How can I save energy this summer?
There are several, simple ways to save energy when the Sun is out. These include:
Opening the curtains: Lighting accounts for around 11% of your electricity bill,¹ so getting that natural light in during daylight hours can save you money and brighten up your living space. Give those light bulbs a rest and soak up some sunshine.
Step away from the oven: Not only does cooking with the oven use up energy, it can also heat up your kitchen which can be a real pain in the summer months. Why not try making some easy meals such as sandwiches or salads, or even doing a BBQ.
If you’re not feeling confident with your cooking, then try the microwave – it helps your kitchen stay cool and uses less energy.²
Hang up clothes outside: Instead of throwing your wet clothes in the tumble dryer, you could hang them up and let them dry outside. They’ll get that lovely fresh smell and you could save an average of around £50 a year on your electricity bill.³
Spend less time using appliances: We’ve covered how you can cut down on the oven and tumble dryer – how about reducing screen time too? Summer is a great excuse to get away from screens and enjoy the fresh air instead. Remember to unplug any electronic devices and chargers before you go out to help you save energy. And don’t forget the suncream!
How do I cool my house using less energy?
Here are some top tips for staying cool and saving money on your bills at the same time.
Use a fan: Fans are a cost-effective way to get that cool air flowing around your home. They don’t use much energy, so their carbon emissions are minimal.⁴ And if you’re working at home, a small USB fan on your desk can be as cheap as £0.01 per day.⁴
Keep your home well-insulated: Insulation isn’t just for the winter – it slows down the rate that heat transfers from outside to inside your house, keeping your home cooler for longer. It’s worth looking into government support to help upgrade your home’s insulation to make it more energy efficient.
Take a cold shower: You’ll thank us afterwards. No-one likes a cold shower at the time, but by dropping your shower a few degrees you can refresh yourself after the summer heat – plus you’ll save on your hot water. You can also replace your shower head with an eco-shower head, which reduces the amount of water coming through and helps lower your energy bill.
If you’d really rather avoid a cold shower, try taking a shorter shower by singing along to your favourite 4 minute song to help you set the pace. By cutting down to 4 minute showers, you could save money on energy and help the planet by reducing your carbon emissions and using less water. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to practise your shower singing.
Open your windows at the right time: Rather than rushing to open the windows when you’re feeling warm, choose the right time to do so. When the air is cooler outside, open the windows on both sides of your home to let the air flow through. But if it’s heating up outside, keep the windows closed to help shut the hot air out.
Close the curtains: Similarly to opening the windows, timing is everything. When the Sun is beaming down on your windows, shutting the blinds or curtains can keep the heat out. Open them instead when the direct sunlight isn’t facing the windows. Remember, it’s easier to stop heat coming into the home in the first place, than it is to cool the place down afterwards.
Energy efficiency advice for your home.
Ready to get energy smart? This video is full of useful tips for more efficient energy use in your home.
From smart meters to draft excluders, there are plenty of simple measures we can take to make the most of our home energy.
How do I use the thermostat?
If you want to feel more in control of your energy use, a smart thermostat could be just the thing. You can make it work around your schedule by setting the temperature to rise a few degrees when you’re out of the house, and automatically fall before you get back so you return to a cooler home. You can adjust the temperature at the touch of a button, and by saving energy you’ll help to reduce your carbon footprint.
A standard programmable thermostat may be able to achieve similar benefits by manually setting a schedule for your home.
Remember, you can also track your energy use by upgrading to a smart meter or checking the E.ON Next app. This helps you build energy-saving habits to keep your bills lower and reduce CO2 emissions.
How do I use my air conditioning efficiently?
Portable air conditioning units are more common than fitted ones in the UK, as you can bring your air conditioner with you for cooling on demand. Whatever room of the house you’re using it in, make sure to keep the doors closed to stop warm air coming in from other parts of the house.
These portable units use more energy than fans, making them a more expensive cooling system. Running one for 24 hours costs 20 times as much as running a typical freestanding fan for the same amount of time.⁴ So when you turn the unit off, make sure to unplug it to stop any energy being used when it’s in standby mode. Remember to clean or replace the air filters regularly to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible.