The cost of living in Ireland is rising, and so many people will have already noticed an increase in their monthly bills.
To combat this, the government has announced that it will double the proposed energy credit to all households to €200.
The payment is expected to be paid next month. However, for many, it will not relieve the pressure they feel when it comes to their monthly bills.
But there are some tips and tricks that could help you to significantly reduce your monthly bills without having to make huge sacrifices.
Here are some simple ways to reduce your energy costs.
Turn off appliances
Ensuring you turn off any appliances left on standby can help reduce your energy bill by up to 20 per cent.
Some appliances can go unnoticed, and you may not even realise they are using up energy by simply being plugged in.
Make sure to check TVs, laptops, desktop PCs, games consoles, set-top boxes, HDR recorders, digital radios and mobile chargers are all plugged out, and you will notice a difference.
Turn heating down
Heating costs can have a huge impact on your pocket but is still an essential cost as you need to stay warm throughout the winter months.
Turning down your heating by just one degree can knock off about 10 per cent from your heating bill.
Closing doors and windows will also help maintain the heat within the home and stop you from losing heat due to any draughts.
Closing curtains at night is also a great way to retain heat. By not hanging curtains over radiators, you will not block the heat from filling the room.
Showering
Washing can be one of the more expensive costs when it comes to your energy bill, but there are some ways that you can reduce this.
The first thing is to always opt for a shower instead of a bath as this will use less heated water.
Making a conscious effort to shorten your shower will also save you money, and by turning down the water pressure, you will also use less water and save money.
Cooking
As with most Irish households, the kitchen is the centre of the home and can often use the most energy.
Making small changes such as only boiling the kettle with the amount of water you will be using and using a microwave instead of the oven to heat meals can have an impact on the cost of your bill.
Other measures include:
- Use a pan that fits the size of the burner on your hob
- Steaming veg instead of boiling
- Defrosting food before cooking
- Using a slow cooker
- Only put on the dishwasher when it's full
Fridge/freezer
Another huge draw on energy is the freezer and fridge, as they take a good deal of energy to keep cool.
Simple measures like placing the fridge away from direct sunlight and appliances that generate heat and keeping the coils free from dust can help your appliance be more energy efficient.
You are advised to set the temperature of your fridge to between 3 and 5 degrees and the freezer to -18 degrees and defrost it regularly to stop the build-up of ice.
It is also a good idea to make sure that food is fully cold before putting it into the fridge as this will stop the fridge from having to work harder to maintain its temperature.
Washing clothes
One of the most used appliances in a home is the washing machine and clothes dryer.
By drying your clothes outside or handing them over chairs or a close horse, you will see a significant reduction in your bill.
Washing clothes at a lower temperature will also cut costs.
Energy supplier
One of the best ways to reduce your bill that many people often forget is to switch energy providers.
On average, people save up to €312 by switching to the cheapest electricity provider.
Shopping around for a new energy provider may be time-consuming, but it will pay off, especially if you consume a lot of energy.
