Go on a swapping spree: Households could save hundreds on energy over warmer months with a few simple swaps
Brits could save hundreds on energy bills over the warmer spring and summer months this year if they make simple swaps around the home[1]
Turning off the heating makes a big difference to bills, with gas costs on average £340 lower between April to September compared with the six colder months[2]
Ditching the tumble dryer and drying clothes outside also significantly cuts down energy use — saving people £21 over the warmer months[3]
Swapping one hot oven-cooked meal for a cold salad or sandwich a week can save more than £3 in energy during the summer[4]
Households should be mindful of energy-guzzling hot tubs and patio heaters, as they can add almost £7 a day to bills over the summer[6]
Uswitch.com offers tips on how to reduce your energy bills over the warmer months and advises households to consider fixing while deals are cheaper.
Households could save hundreds on their energy bills on average over the summer months if they make simple swaps to reduce their gas and electricity use[1], according to new analysis from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
Turning the heating off makes the biggest difference to bills, with the average household spending £340 less on gas from April to September compared with the colder six months[2].
The average household with gas central heating will spend about £328 on heating in January, February and March. Having the heating on half as much over April to June will save people around £187. The cost of heating then drops to almost zero over the warmest months of the year from July to September[2].
Turning the heating off over the summer and making other changes to energy habits can help people build up credit for the winter.
For those who can, hanging clothes outside to dry on warm days can also help people cut costs during the spring and summer. Tumble dryers are one of the most expensive household appliances, so hanging up the washing outside instead could save people £22 over the warmest months of the year[3].
Swapping one oven-cooked meal for a cold salad on a hot day could save people 23p per dinner — adding up to £3.75 if done once a week for four months[4].
People with dehumidifiers may also be able to turn them off in the summer. Dehumidifiers remove extra moisture from the air and prevent damp and condensation on the windows, and can be particularly beneficial when drying clothes inside.
Dehumidifiers typically use 185W, which will cost 9p if used for two hours at current electricity prices. Opening the windows to let the air in from outside could save households with dehumidifiers £9.71 over a four-month period[5].
Although many households can make significant energy savings over the summer, people need to be mindful of how the costs of some garden appliances can add up.
Hot tubs are the most energy-guzzling appliance in the garden. Energy efficient models could cost around £1.20 a day to run, with the least efficient setting people back up to £6.68[6].
The cost of using electric patio heaters can also add up. A 2.4kW unit would cost 59p to use for an hour — adding up to £4.12 if used for an hour a day for a week[7].
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “With energy prices falling and the temperature rising, it’s easy to forget about the power bill, but now is not the time to take your eye off the ball.
“There are a few simple summer swaps you can make around the home that will cut your energy bill and put more money back in your pocket.
“Although switching off the heating is the biggest contributor to energy savings, other small changes will quickly add up.
“If the weather is dry, people with a garden or balcony can make the most of the warmer weather to dry clothes rather than using expensive tumble dryers.
“Anyone making changes to how they use energy around the home can track their usage using apps, such as Utrack by Uswitch, to see what impact this is having on their bills.
“With the price cap falling on July 1 but predicted to rise again in October, this could be a good time to get a fixed deal. Households on a standard variable tariff, or for those coming to the end of a fixed deal, should run a comparison to assess their options.”
Uswitch’s summer energy saving tips
Turn off the heating if you are going away. While in the winter it can be beneficial to heat your home for a few hours a day even if you’re not home, it isn’t as necessary at this time of year and will be costing you money.
Consider hot tubs carefully. If you are thinking about buying a hot tub, consider how efficiently they run when picking one. Pricier hot tubs are likely to be better insulated and could be a better investment as they will cost less to run long term. Make sure you get a well-fitted cover that forms an airtight seal to avoid losing heat and using more energy.
Let the grass grow. At only 25p a time on average, mowing the lawn isn’t a big contributor to energy bills, but households looking to make savings could reduce the number of times they cut the grass — which can also be beneficial for insects, hedgehogs and wild flowers.
Use outdoor space to cut your laundry bill. If you have a garden or balcony, you can make use of the warmer weather by hanging clothes outside to dry.
Use solar power. Solar-powered lights can make a great alternative to electric garden lighting. They don’t need a power source, so will save you money in the long run.
Track your energy usage with Utrack by Uswitch here.
Notes
1. See savings in table within release.
2. Calculated using Ofgem usage figures for a medium-use household. Based on price cap unit rates, the average household spends £591.93 and £519.49 on gas and electricity between October and March, and £252.28 and £378.38 from April to September. This is a difference of £339.65 for gas, and £141.11 for electricity.
3. Average tumble dryer uses 3kWh per cycle. One cycle x £0.2343/kWh = £0.67. Swapping using a tumble dryer for hanging clothes outside twice a week for 16 weeks = saving of £22.49.
4. 30 minutes x 2 kW x 23.43p/kWh = £0.2343. £0.2343 x 16 weeks = £3.75 in savings.
5. Two hours x 185W x 23.43p/kWh = £0.0827. £0.0827 x 7 days a week x 16 weeks = £9.71 in savings.
6. WhatSpa?: How much does it cost to run a hot tub?
7. 1 hour x 2.4 kW x 23.43p/kWh = 56p an hour.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.