5 bright ideas to conserve energy this winter | Innovation Tech

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ven though we know it comes around every year, winter can feel like it sneaks up on us. And with lower temperatures and longer periods of darkness, most homes can expect higher bills when the chilly rolls in. But it doesn’t have to be this way! The good news is there are lots of simple, low or no-cost things we can do to use less energy this winter. In partnership with Simply Energy, we’ve listed some bright ideas to help reduce your energy usage.

CEILING FANS ARE NOT JUST FOR SUMMER

If you have ceiling fans in your home, chances are you only use them when it’s hot. But did you know you can also use them to your advantage in winter? Nearly all types of ceiling fans can be switched on to work in two directions; counter-clockwise to encourage hot air up to be pushed up in the summer, while reversing could help you to keep your rooms warmer during colder months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down.

ONLY HEAT AND LIGHT THE AREAS YOU USE

Close the doors of rooms in the house which aren’t in use and confine heating to the rooms you actually use. Install timer switches or use motion detector lights for areas you only use briefly, such as corridors and hallways, garages and outside areas. Cutting energy usage can be as simple as modifying your behaviour; switch off lights as you move throughout the house. It will soon become a habit you don’t even notice.

TURN IT DOWN A NOTCH

Water heating can be a significant energy expense. While it’s recommended you keep stored hot water at a minimum of 60ºC to avoid the growth of Legionella bacteria, many systems store water at 65ºC or higher, which may be inefficient. Install a tempering valve or thermostatic mixer valve in the kitchen or bathroom. Talk to your plumber for advice.

SHUT THAT DOOR

Closing doors are an obvious way to keep warm air trapped inside a room. But even with the doors and windows shut, warmth might be leaking through gaps. Draught-proofing and sealing gaps around doors, windows, skirting boards and closing off unused chimneys are cheap and easy ways to keep your home warmer and may reduce energy usage. Fabric “sausage” draught-stoppers and thermal-lined curtains are also good, old-fashioned ways of keeping rooms warm.

COMPARE ENERGY PLANS

At Simply Energy, you can compare different energy plans online to work out the best deal to suit your household. It’s simple and quick, and there are attractive offers for new customers for both gas and electricity. Take a look this winter.