Expert tips to save on energy bills over Christmas
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DURING the festive season, many people find their budgets stretched thin, a situation further exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis.
However, to alleviate this financial pressure, energy specialist Llewellyn Kinch from MakeMyHouseGreen.com has curated a selection of practical tips aimed at reducing energy bills, ensuring that these expenses don't add to the holiday stress:
Energy efficient Christmas lunch
If you cook a turkey in the oven for several hours, it’ll use up lots of electricity. The savvy way is to use a slow cooker, which costs a fraction to run compared to a traditional oven. Crispy skin lovers can always finish the turkey in the oven for a short period of time.
For side dishes, opt for energy-efficient cooking methods, such as the microwave or convection oven. Roast potatoes come out well in energy efficient air fryers.
A final tip is to always match saucepan sizes to hot plates or burners, and keep lids on pots to reduce cooking time and energy waste.
Festive lighting tricks
Christmas lights are a key part of creating that festive feeling, however consumers might want to be wary of the extra energy costs it brings.
Replace traditional incandescent Christmas lights with energy-efficient LED versions. They use significantly less electricity and last longer, saving you money in the long run. It is also worth considering the use of timers to control when they operate, or unplugging lights when you're not home or sleeping.
For outdoor lighting, opt for solar powered versions that won’t add a penny to your electricity bill.
Stick some of these on your christmas list for less than £20 each
If you have single glazing, then secondary film is a cheap and effective way to have a huge impact.
If you don’t have one already, then a letter box draft stopper is really effective (and much faster to install than the film. While simple stick-on draft-stopping rubbery foam strips for and gaps on your doors and windows will keep the drafts out and warmth in. Stick those in your stocking this year!
Don’t get carried away with the thermostat
With the in-laws and other guests visiting, it might be tempting to crank up the thermostat, however this might not be necessary as the body heat of a house full of guests will soon warm up the space.
The additional use of throws and blankets will create a cosy, intimate atmosphere and reduce the need for excessive heating.
Mr Kinch commented: “Christmas is an expensive time of year, but the energy bill needn’t be an added worry by following the right energy-savvy tricks.”
