10 energy saving tips for your holiday home
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With bills rising this winter you will want to make sure you know about all the tips and tricks you can do to save energy in your holiday home.
We’ve done all the research for you and put together a list of 10 energy saving tips for your holiday home this winter. There is nothing worse than being cold in the winter so heating costs are inevitable, but there are a range of things you can do to try and reduce and save money on your bills whilst ensuring you aren’t going without this winter, and we have listed them below.
1. take advantage of the sun
Believe it or not, winter sun is actually a thing, and you want to take advantage of it during the day. Open all blinds and curtains during the daytime and create a greenhouse effect in your holiday home. That way you can use the sun to naturally heat your home during the daytime. When the night draws in ensure that you close all blinds and curtains as they can be a source of heat loss. You can try purchasing thermal curtains if you want to maximise energy saving.
2. close doors in unused rooms
If you are pottering around during the day, you will probably go in and out of various rooms around your holiday home and leave the doors open. But if you try to remember to keep doors closed in the rooms you aren’t in then it can actually help save you money. By shutting the doors, you won’t be wasting energy heating rooms that aren’t even being used. An example would be if you have a spare bedroom which is only used when guests stay over.
3. swap your bulbs for LED bulbs
Did you know that LEDs use less energy and cost you a lot less than normal bulbs in the long run. So, make sure that any lights around your holiday home are using LED bulbs. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than a conventional halogen bulb and although LED bulbs are more costly up-front in the long run they will lead to reducing your lighting bills over the year and help you save energy too. Especially in the winter when you will need to use lights a lot more due to it going dark earlier.
4. turn off the taps in between jobs
Of course, you can never stop using water completely, but it is important to ensure that you turn the taps off in between any jobs that require water. For example, when brushing your teeth, only run the water when you need to. It’s the same for when you wash your face or shave your face and need to use water, make sure you turn the tap off when it’s not being used. Another idea when it comes to washing dishes fill the sink up or use a washing up bowl in the sink rather than letting the tap run.
5. turn your thermostat down before bed
When you are in the house you will want the heating on but try to make sure it is as low as you are comfortable with to help save energy. And then when you leave the house turn the thermostat down as nobody is in to benefit from the heat. Do the same when you are going to sleep as you will be warm under your duvet with pyjamas on and blankets if needed so you won’t need as much heating which again will reduce your energy bill over the year.
6. leave the door ajar after using the oven
With this tip we don’t mean heat your kitchen area by using the oven rather than the radiator this wouldn’t be very cost effective at all. But if you are cooking and using the oven once you are done you might as well make the most of the heat inside the oven by leaving the door ajar. That way all the heat can escape and fill the room to give some extra heat in the evening.
7. check for drafts and leaks
Check over everything that could be causing drafts or leaks leading to expensive energy bills. Go over each door and window by checking the seals and look for any damage. Heat can also leak out of unexpected areas like light fixtures, sockets and gaps in insulation. Once you’ve checked for drafts go around all your toilets, taps and showers to check for leaks. Getting all of these checked over and fixed as soon as possible will help you save money on your energy bills.
8. be smart with water usage
It’s necessary to use water every day for various tasks but you can be smart with your water usage. Fill a large jug with water for drinks and keep it in your fridge to avoid running the taps multiple times a day. Wait until you have a full dishwasher or washing machine before you put them and use the most efficient settings. Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need to save water and energy. Another idea would be once you’ve washed your dishes, use the water in your bowl to water the plants to get full use out of the water.
9. stay warm with blankets and clothing
Make sure you are stocked up on plenty of thick warm blankets and suitable clothing to keep you warm this winter. Things like fluffy socks, slippers, dressing gowns or the ever popular ‘oodie’ are great additions to your wardrobe this winter. Although they come with a cost to purchase them it will mean you use less heating and therefore reduce your energy bill over the year.
10. try to have more showers than baths
If you can, try to take more showers than baths this winter. Taking a 5-minute shower uses around half the amount of water it takes to fill a bath. Another way you can make this even more water efficient is by changing your shower head to a water saving one. This will reduce the amount of water by up to 50% from regulating the flow or aerating the water.