How To Reduce Your Energy Bills

The cost of living in the UK is increasing ten-fold. In March, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increased to 7.0% - the highest since 1992 (Commons Library), and energy bills increased  by 54% in April (Commons Library). 

The COVID-19 pandemic, Ukrainian war and energy price cap have all contributed to rising energy prices, and it’s predicted that heating bills will rise even further in October 2022.

Families across the country are already feeling the impact of rising prices, with 37% of Britons admitting that they can’t afford to heat their homes during winter. 

As prices continue to increase, more people are looking for ways to reduce their energy usage and bills. 

At Enula, we believe that the plumbing and heating industry should strive to live in a society that only uses renewable, low cost, zero carbon energy when it comes to heating homes. It’s part of our DNA. 

To help you take control of your energy bills, we’ve put together some short term and long term tips that will help you save both the planet and your bank account.

Short term energy saving tips 

Stop leaving household appliances on standby mode 

According to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save £55 a year by switching off appliances instead of leaving them on standby mode. Not all appliances can be completely unplugged - for example, fridges and freezers should be left on, along with any TV satellite boxes that record TV shows. 

Stop leaving lights on 

Once you’ve left a room, switch the lights off and it could save you £20 a year (Energy Saving Trust). Using LED light bulbs can also help you save energy and shave money off your bills.

Work smarter with your washing machine 

Putting your laundry on a 30-degree cycle and only doing one cycle a week can save around £28 a year (Energy Saving Trust). If you need to do more than one cycle a week, make sure you have enough laundry to justify a full load. 

Have quicker showers 

Did you know, reducing your shower to four minutes could save £70 on your energy bills? 

Long term energy saving tips

Look at draught-proofing your windows and doors

It’s thought that the average home loses around 40% of its heat through the windows and doors (Premier Windows Ltd).

If you live in a new build, you probably won’t need to replace your windows and doors, but for older houses, it’s worth considering. Prices start from £500 and is dependent on project size and scope. 

Consider replacing insulation in your home 

Insulation is great for keeping your home warm during Winter and cool during the Summer. However, over time insulation becomes less effective due to dirt, mould, direct sunlight and more. 

According to AXA, for every £4 spent on heating, £1 is lost due to poor insulation. For insulation that is over 15 to 20 years old, it’s worth looking into replacing it. Costs start from £6,000. 

If you’re thinking about getting a renewable heating solution such as an air source heat pump, you’ll need to make sure your insulation is up to standard. 

Install an air source heat pump 

An air source heat pump is a renewable heating solution that turns air into heat. The heat pump is attached to the exterior of a building and converts energy from even cold air into heat and transfers it around an enclosed space.

Costs start at around £8,000 and can exceed £15,000 - this includes the equipment and installation of our MCS approved air source heat pumps. There are government initiatives including the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme that can help offset these costs. 

Air source heat pumps are much cheaper to run, use renewable energy and are 400% more efficient in comparison to boilers. For every kW of electricity that goes in, 4kW comes out. 

Make your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy bills when you buy an air source heat pump from Enula. Speak to one of our experts today.